Americas nuclear arsenal depends on a surprising relic of the 1970s that few of us may recall: the humble floppy disk.
Its hard to believe these magnetic, 8-inch data storage devices are whats propping up the most fearsome weapons humanity has ever created. But the Department of Defense is still relying on this technology to coordinate key strategic forces such as nuclear bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to a new government report.
The floppy disks help run whats known as the Strategic Automated Command and Control System, an important communications network that the Pentagon uses to issue launch orders to commanders and to share intelligence. And in order to use the floppy disks, the military must also maintain a collection of IBM Series/1 computers that to most people would look more at home in a museum than in a missile silo.
Källa: The real reason America controls its nukes with ancient floppy disks – The Washington Post
