In 2014, a startling revelation shook the world as it came to light that the US military’s nuclear missile systems were being controlled using severely outdated, or vintage, technology.
A groundbreaking investigation by “60 Minutes” uncovered the astonishing fact that these critical systems were still reliant on 5 1/4-inch floppy disks, a relic of technology long surpassed by modern standards.
The Strategic Automated Command and Control System (SACCS), a cornerstone of national security, is finally on the brink of a long-overdue transformation following extensive deliberations in the hallowed halls of the US Congress. Lieutenant Colonel Jason Rossi, in an exclusive interview with c4isrnet.com, heralded a new era for SACCS, promising a shift towards cutting-edge, highly secure digital storage solutions.
A damning report from the Office of Government Accountability, the legislative watchdog of the US government, laid bare the stark reality that as of 2016, SACCS was still mired in technology dating back to the 1970s. Not only were eight-inch floppy disks being used to operate the nuclear missile coordination system, but archaic IBM Series/1 computers were also part of the antiquated setup.
Despite initial plans by the US Department of Defense to modernize storage, processors, and terminals by the close of fiscal 2017, the United States Air Force remained tight-lipped on the extent of these upgrades. While improvements in the design speed of SACCS were acknowledged, the full scope of enhancements remained undisclosed.
Lieutenant Colonel Jason Rossi emphasized the unique security of a system devoid of an IP address, making it impervious to hacking. The vintage nature of the facility, over 40 years old, offers a certain level of safety, yet the challenges of maintaining such aged infrastructure are formidable. The intricate task demands specialized expertise, leading the US Air Force to enlist civilian tech experts for upkeep, with pilots tasked solely with error detection and component testing.
While the hardware of SACCS may be outdated, the software undergoes continuous refinement by Air Force programmers dedicated to modernizing the legacy code for enhanced sustainability and operational efficiency. This ongoing mission underscores the commitment to evolve and adapt critical defense systems to meet the demands of the digital age.
Five years ago or more it was discovered that the entire atomic arsenal of the United States was connected to 5 1/4 disk drive peripherals in order to function.
This is a 5 1/4 record:
The data is safe in there. I have 5 1/4 disks for C64 with active data without corruption from year 1987.
Why think of upgrading and discarding such a glorious system? We know that messes happen then.
Sol Oriens, a US nuclear weapons contractor, suffered an unspecified attack with the loss and/or theft of important data, we are talking about nuclear weapons.
Sol Oriens statement to us now: “In May 2021, Sol Oriens became aware of a cybersecurity incident that impacted our network environment.” H/t @mcwellons
— Eamon Javers (@EamonJavers) June 10, 2021