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thewayneIt's really simple. There are many defense systems that the military own - flat-out own - that they are not allowed to repair! They have to wait for parts, or DRM unlocks by defense contractor specialists, before repairs can be effected. As a result, units needing repair are sometimes cannibalized to keep other units in fighting condition.
Which is an absolutely insane situation for any military to be under. Yet, because of DRM and other contractual limitations that defense contractors have been allowed to restrict the Pentagon with, it's reality. The article states the example of a knob - a simple knob - for a "Black Hawk helicopter screen control knob that costs $47,000 as part of a full assembly could be manufactured independently for just $15." This is just one example of the insanity that the military has to deal with because of contractual and DRM lockdown and lock-in. The military's personnel are trained to maintain the equipment, they have the tools and 3D printers to print things. But they are not allowed to.
Senator Warren (D) is on the committee that is currently preparing the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senator-challenges-defense-industry-right-to-repair-opposition-funding-talks-2025-11-10/
https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/11/11/1917226/us-senator-challenges-defense-industry-on-right-to-repair-opposition
Which is an absolutely insane situation for any military to be under. Yet, because of DRM and other contractual limitations that defense contractors have been allowed to restrict the Pentagon with, it's reality. The article states the example of a knob - a simple knob - for a "Black Hawk helicopter screen control knob that costs $47,000 as part of a full assembly could be manufactured independently for just $15." This is just one example of the insanity that the military has to deal with because of contractual and DRM lockdown and lock-in. The military's personnel are trained to maintain the equipment, they have the tools and 3D printers to print things. But they are not allowed to.
Senator Warren (D) is on the committee that is currently preparing the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senator-challenges-defense-industry-right-to-repair-opposition-funding-talks-2025-11-10/
https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/11/11/1917226/us-senator-challenges-defense-industry-on-right-to-repair-opposition
no subject
Date: 2025-11-15 12:46 pm (UTC)So subscription model effects the military also. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. All of us spend massive amounts of more time and effort on digital stuff that's supposed to help us; in some cases to the point of being counter-productive.
During Gulf War, when floppy disks were still a thing, we were supposed to be sent from point A to B to C (or somesuch, don't recall now). However, due to the heat, the computer wasn't working at point B, so we ended up twiddling our thumbs at point B, until they could get it working.
How did we manage to win WWII without computers?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-15 04:58 pm (UTC)When I had a temp job at the local Air Force base with a group replacing all the old computers with new Windows 10 laptops, everyone in the group was experienced with computers and most had experience in programming. NONE OF THEM KNEW WHAT A SLIDE RULE WAS. I could have wept.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-15 07:08 pm (UTC)I actually do (did) know how to use a slide rule, but never used one for practical use. Desktop calculators were the hot new tech - major leap forward when they became pocket calculators.
Actually, the earliest computers did exist in WWII and were used to compute ballistic tables. (Admiral) Grace Hopper go her start by learning how to use a “computing engine” to do that.