The German Navy is replacing 8-inch floppy disks on its older ships with an emulation system



It has been revealed that the German Navy is seeking to replace the 8-inch floppy disks essential to the operation of

its Brandenburg-class frigates (Type 123 frigates) with an emulation system.

Brandenburg Class: Marine equipment for 8-inch floppies from Fregatten - Golem.de
https://www.golem.de/news/brandenburg-klasse-deutsche-marine-braucht-new-8-zoll-floppies-fuer-fregatten-2407-186927.html

German Navy to replace aging 8-inch floppy drives with an emulated solution for its anti-submarine frigates | Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/german-navy-aims-to-replace-aging-8-inch-floppy-drives-with-an-emulated-solution-for-its-anti-submarine-frigates

According to a tender document from the German Navy, the Navy is seeking developers to develop a 'floppy disk replacement emulation system.' The challenge is to design a modern system that is fully compatible with 1990s technology, and must fully emulate the functionality of existing 8-inch floppy disks and disk drives.

The German Type 123 frigates, commissioned in the mid-1990s, relied on floppy disks for their data collection system, which apparently is no longer viable after 30 years. The floppy disks power the Type 123 frigates' data collection system and control basic ship functions such as propulsion and power generation.

The Type 123 frigates are also scheduled to have their weapon systems and weapon control systems upgraded, with the Swedish military company SAAB undertaking the renovation.


By Bernt Rostad

Technology media Tom's Hardware said, 'It's not easy to seamlessly replace 30-year-old computer hardware while maintaining all the functionality of existing floppy disks. But did you know that other government agencies have been struggling with similar issues in recent years? San Francisco uses floppy disks in its train control system, and the US Strategic Automated Command and Control System (SACCS) also relied on 8-inch floppy disks until 2019. The Japanese government has also phased out floppy disks, which were essential for public regulatory submissions, under the Digital Affairs Minister Taro Kono. 'It's surprising how many places still use older technology, and efforts are being made to modernize.

The Japanese government has abolished the floppy disk restriction, and the next step is to review faxes, etc. - GIGAZINE



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