3 ms·

The needs of these systems are radically different. We don't need ever more speed in processing, this isn't games. Things like ultra reliable down to the nano

The needs of these systems are radically different. We don't need ever more speed in processing, this isn't games. Things like ultra reliable down to the nanosecond timing, etc. are important for these applications, not raw computing power. You fundamentally don't understand some things about the application, therefore are presenting solutions that seem smart on the surface but are actually fundamentally flawed and non starters.

jiggawatts 3y ago
> The needs of these systems are radically different. Different to what? Desktop PCs? Commercial avionics? Space-rated computers? Military fighter jet avionics from other planes? The future upgrade to the F-35 is orders of magnitude worse at every metric than everything else in any of those categories. For example, the latest F/18 has a computer that is several hundred times faster. It’s also a “networked” fighter jet with sensor integration, etc… So what’s different about the F-35 avionics that justifies $300K per unit for the computer power of an outdated Apple Watch!? From where I’m sitting it’s purely corruption and incompetence. You’re saying it’s something else. Okay, what is it?
- iancmceachern 3y ago
  They just started delivering those block III super hornets in 2021. You are comparing hardware from different generations. Just because it's an older plane doesn't mean the avionics in it haven't been upgraded since. Don't worry, they'll get to upgrading the f35s and then they will have the newer hardware. It's the natural progression of these things.
  - jiggawatts 3y ago
    I'm comparing the 2021 F/18 computers to the upcoming TR-3 upgrade of the F-35s which won't actually start until mid-2024! They're upgrading the 1994 level of computer power to 2015 level of computer power... in 2024, when they already have directly comparable fighter jet avionics that has a "giga" where this thing has a "mega".
    - jandrewrogers 3y ago
      The F35 is a massive network of independent computer systems, you seem to be using “computer power” rather abstractly. Some of the computing components are state-of-the-art and others are rather old, based on requirements. Who cares if a computing component is slow if it doesn’t need to be faster than it already is. Other parts of the F35 exceed the capabilities of anything you can buy off-the-shelf. The need to upgrade many of these computing systems is bottlenecked by the ability to upgrade the sensor systems that would necessitate upgrading the computing systems. Also, you are talking about “mega” and “giga” when many modern US systems are “peta”. With all due respect, you might be working from an obsolete understanding of these systems.

jiggawatts 3y ago

> The needs of these systems are radically different. Different to what? Desktop PCs? Commercial avionics? Space-rated computers? Military fighter jet avionics from other planes? The future upgrade to the F-35 is orders of magnitude worse at every metric than everything else in any of those categories. For example, the latest F/18 has a computer that is several hundred times faster. It’s also a “networked” fighter jet with sensor integration, etc… So what’s different about the F-35 avionics that justifies $300K per unit for the computer power of an outdated Apple Watch!? From where I’m sitting it’s purely corruption and incompetence. You’re saying it’s something else. Okay, what is it?

iancmceachern 3y ago
They just started delivering those block III super hornets in 2021. You are comparing hardware from different generations. Just because it's an older plane doesn't mean the avionics in it haven't been upgraded since. Don't worry, they'll get to upgrading the f35s and then they will have the newer hardware. It's the natural progression of these things.
- jiggawatts 3y ago
  I'm comparing the 2021 F/18 computers to the upcoming TR-3 upgrade of the F-35s which won't actually start until mid-2024! They're upgrading the 1994 level of computer power to 2015 level of computer power... in 2024, when they already have directly comparable fighter jet avionics that has a "giga" where this thing has a "mega".
  - jandrewrogers 3y ago
    The F35 is a massive network of independent computer systems, you seem to be using “computer power” rather abstractly. Some of the computing components are state-of-the-art and others are rather old, based on requirements. Who cares if a computing component is slow if it doesn’t need to be faster than it already is. Other parts of the F35 exceed the capabilities of anything you can buy off-the-shelf. The need to upgrade many of these computing systems is bottlenecked by the ability to upgrade the sensor systems that would necessitate upgrading the computing systems. Also, you are talking about “mega” and “giga” when many modern US systems are “peta”. With all due respect, you might be working from an obsolete understanding of these systems.