Inside the US Nuclear Silos Where Floppy Disk Are Still High-Tech

Gizmodo ^ | April 28, 2014 | Jamie Condliffe

[lbryce]

It's not very often you get to see inside a US Air Force nuclear silo—but CBS recently got to take a peek for us. In this video, Lesley Stahl finds that they're not quite as high-tech as you might like to think.

This segment, which you can watch below, appeared on 60 Minutes, and it provides a rare glimpse into the inner working of America's nuclear bunkers. Cozying up with the ageing rockets, two things are striking. First, the staff don't seem wildly experienced. Second, the technology down there still relies on 5.25-inch 8-inch floppy disks from the 70s. Thank goodness the nation is so well protected

[Cooter]

A landfill in Alamogordo.

[GingisK]

The Russians still use vacuum tubes in much of their electronics. Their favorite “control computer” is a PDP-11 knock-off.

[Fido969]

The Russians still use vacuum tubes in much of their electronics. Their favorite “control computer” is a PDP-11 knock-off.

And the Chinese crank out circuit boards like Ritz crackers.

[pfflier]

To use the term "silo" for the layperson is likely as you pointed out.

By not properly describing the terminology or the geographic layout of a Minuteman flight, the LSM is perpetuating ignorance rather than presenting facts. That, in turn, suggests an agenda rather than a story.

[Vermont Lt]

Does the button still work?

That’s really all we need right? We need the engine to start.

[Vermont Lt]

I have a 1911 pistol.

The basic design hasn’t changed in over 100 years. Yes, some of the metallurgy has improved, but the pieces are still the pieces.

[Vermont Lt]

I vote complete ignorance.

My wife was a reporter for years. She would always complain about dealing with the local AFB. They would speak in jargon, acronyms, and would assume that you already knew points A-B-C, so they would just start talking about D. If you asked any follow up questions, you would get the “you must be a civilian” response.

So, yes...after a few go arounds like that you begin to not like dealing with the PIO’s at the bases.

[EQAndyBuzz]

One thing I noticed and maybe someone else wrote it but I strongly believe there are 15 LCF’s (Launch Control Facility) and not 10. Each LCF had 10 individual sites for a total of 150 MM2/3.

Then again it is almost 35 years since I been at Ellsworth so things may have changed. I recently went through my parents nostalgia items and found an LCS key with tag still on it I must have brought home with me by accident.

I think only the MMS people would get that.

[pfflier]

WRT the use of jargon. I gave many tours of the training launch facility just like the one in the segment. Reporters and civilians in general almost always asked only the obvious questions like "How many people do you plan to kill today?". Their whole concept of the nuclear weapons world is based on John Travolta stealing a B-2 and selling the nukes to terrorists or Dr Strangelove.

I just re-watched the 60 Minutes piece since may last postings. This time I noticed that the real agenda was the book Command and Control.

The questions and inferences throughout the hit piece was "unauthorized launch or accidental detonation of a nuke" because the systems were designed during the era of Nixon (which in itself is incorrect. But mention Nixon whenever you want a ready made media villain).

The agenda put forth by obambi's administration is the elimination of nukes. This is the opening shot in the regime's efforts to eliminate land based nuclear weapons. Withing weeks I expect dingy harry and the wicked witch of the west (pelosi) to bring this topic to the forefront.

[Wyatt's Torch]

I'll bet you a dozen floppy disks you don't even get ***.

[Scoutmaster]

I know what I get.

I get the CBS piece was a hit piece.

I know the author of the piece I quoted, which was Gizmodo or Deadspin, or wherever (I'd have to check my history) was a leftist taking a shot at the military.

What did I not get?

[Wyatt's Torch]

Sorry it was a line from Sixteen Candles on floppy disks :-)

[Scoutmaster]

Thanks. I’m ashamed that I didn’t pick up on a Sixteen Candles cultural reference.

[Scoutmaster]

Thanks. I’m ashamed that I didn’t pick up on a Sixteen Candles cultural reference.

[Wyatt's Torch]

I’m an 80’s movie font of useless knowledge :-)

[Vermont Lt]

I appreciate that. The stories my wife would cover would be more specific: new aircraft being assigned, troops returning through the base in Gulf I (nothing secret—they did big receptions for them.). Regular, daily news stories—usually at the behest of the USAF to start with.

My wife was a radio news person back when local communities had them. She was not a “gotcha” reporter, and due to my relationship to the mil, she had a respect for the jobs on base.

And maybe it was the crew she had to deal with. It not like the USAF did not have it’s share of jerks. It’s just you usually wanted to keep them away from the media.

[Scoutmaster]

It's always nice to meet another font of useless knowledge. Tim McCarver is the only catcher to lead the National League in triples.

Sorry. Useless Knowledge Tourette's.

[Wyatt's Torch]

LOL! I actually knew that about McCarver as well. A bot arrogant but a pretty good color guy. Knows the game very well.

[tanknetter]

This is Pentagon procurement we’re talking about. Allegedly there’s a warehouse out in VA stocked to gills with a couple hundred years worth of mainframe punch cards.

And I’m not joking about that.

Chances are there’s MASSIVE stockpile of these secured in a climate controlled facility to prevent degregation/deterioration.

[AppyPappy]

I think we have retired almost all our silos. Cruise missiles and sub missiles are the real deterrent.