Britain's New $3 Billion Warship Uses Windows XP

Simmonz

Simmonz

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Now I know that people are going to say that maybe XP wasn't so bad when this ship was first being ordered and built but cmon man, this is still an asinine move. Not only that but when it was first discovered the MOD pretty much lied about it until they couldn't anymore. So Britons, do you feel safe with the HMS Swiss Cheese protecting you ? I know i'm scared because Canada usually buys used POS ships from Britain so were probably getting this at some point.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/06/27/hms_queen_elizabeth_running_windows_xp/
 
This isn't the standard windowsXP. This is the MoD/DoD custom built and maintained version.

The MoD/DoD have access to the source code. Concidering the DoD uses XP it makes sense the MoD does due to the close cooperation. Considering the US marines are going to have their F35 on the UK carrier it makes sense.
 
Simmonz said:
Now I know that people are going to say that maybe XP wasn't so bad when this ship was first being ordered and built but cmon man, this is still an asinine move. Not only that but when it was first discovered the MOD pretty much lied about it until they couldn't anymore. So Britons, do you feel safe with the HMS Swiss Cheese protecting you ? I know i'm scared because Canada usually buys used POS ships from Britain so were probably getting this at some point.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/06/27/hms_queen_elizabeth_running_windows_xp/
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Considering many of the US's warships are powered by far more outdated systems, I guess I can't fault Britain too much here.
 
NoOther said:
Considering many of the US's warships are powered by far more outdated systems, I guess I can't fault Britain too much here.
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Right? Wasn't there a news piece posted not too long ago about how certain US nuclear capabilities were powered by windows dos?
 
rec0d3 said:
Right? Wasn't there a news piece posted not too long ago about how certain US nuclear capabilities were powered by windows dos?
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Some of the systems have systems dating back almost 40 years. They have been in the process of updating a lot of them, but there are so many variables involved with replacing a lot of those systems it's not a simple overhaul. And there aren't many around that still understand how to support the old systems either.

Although to be fair, most of those systems are isolated and fairly secure in the builds they have them in.
 
If it does the job in isolated system and satisfice the needs, indeed, why upgrade? I would rather trust well worked down winxp system on compatible hardware than our "latest and greatest" aka windows 10 which is much more complicated and could behave unpredictably in a worst possible moment. I am not against upgrade, but to say we are in great danger just because OS is too old, is pretty much exaggeration.
rec0d3 said:
Lmao, I can't get over this. Russia uses Linux!
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But offcourse they do, first of all, it would be against russians believes to use their imaginary enemies product in their own military systems, now wouldn't it be? But I do think linux is without a doubt better suited for military applications lol.
 
akmens said:
If it does the job in isolated system and satisfice the needs, indeed, why upgrade? I would rather trust well worked down winxp system on compatible hardware than our "latest and greatest" aka windows 10 which is much more complicated and could behave unpredictably in a worst possible moment. I am not against upgrade, but to say we are in great danger just because OS is too old, is pretty much exaggeration.But offcourse they do, first of all, it would be against russians believes to use their imaginary enemies product in their own military systems, now wouldn't it be? But I do think linux is without a doubt better suited for military applications lol.
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I do too. I suppose your right about using your enemies software on your systems. They developed their own flavor of Linux. Wonder what the distro is. Commu OS?
 
rec0d3 said:
I do too. I suppose your right about using your enemies software on your systems. They developed their own flavor of Linux. Wonder what the distro is. Commu OS?
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Who knows and thats why this lulz with the MoD/DoD is misplaced.
UK has been in the US pocket for soo long and while the UK does offer unique specialist abilities, it's just another wing of the US military.

The USA settling on a version of Windows and take VERY LONG (and rightly so) to assess it and control alot of it makes sense... us operating system being used by America. The UK has special access (it also has the source to the F35) and due to the joint operations, using a common OS makes sense (like common communications backbone, common sub launched nukes).

Now everyone else? Anyone outside the 5eyes would be insane to use ANY version of Windows and thus Linux becomes the ideal choice
 
The original article itself states that this won't be the case when the ship goes operational. Pure speculation on my part - but given the lengthy times involved in developing military grade systems, I would guess XP was in place during the development phase, until the real operational systems are fully tested.

Quote from the article:
*Updated at 1437 UTC 27/06/17 to add: While this would appear to be at odds with what we were told back in 2015, the Royal Navy has been in touch to say: "For clarification, the MOD line from 2015 stated 'The MoD can confirm that Windows XP will not be used by any onboard system when the ship becomes operational'; we are following a programme towards delivering a carrier Strike capability – ie, operational - for the UK from 2020."
 
I have two thoughts on this...

1. Considering that many ships still rely on "software" that dates back to the 1970's, at least this ship is using software developed in the 21st century.
2. Are these systems connected to the internet? If it's a stand-alone system that isn't network connected then nothing is really vulnerable, regardless of the OS used.
 
Biznatch said:
And if it's not patched, there are plenty of vulnerabilities available for linux... What's your point?
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What are you speculating that I think Linux isnt vulnerable? Of course it is vulnerable.
 
What is odd about the use of windows (or any closed source os) to run military grade stuff... isn't about X or Y security hole. This win xp system they are running is I have no doubt stupid secure. What is odd... is how much more money it costs to make it that way over choosing Linux or Unix/BSD over MS software.

The cost to lock down a closed source OS you can't see the source to... where you may have to guess at times how best to secure things is no doubt magnitudes more expensive. Really I find it funny that any of the developed nations military units use windows in general for anything. Unix/BSD would seem to me to be the best solution for their needs. It would be the easiest to secure... it would be the least vulnerable to publicly known attack vectors, and could be configured as needed. No doubt it would also be the most stable and reliable system without a doubt.

MS has been accused of and investigated for bribery on multiple occasions in multiple countries over the years. It seems to me a lot of these odd choices of running closed source OSs for such systems is suspect. I can't imagine any honest consultant working for these military units would recommend windows as the best solution... if they are perhaps they are getting greased instead of the political / military types. (but I would expect they are all getting a taste lol)
 
Give me isolated DOS for critical military systems any day over a networked modern OS that is hackable and inconsistent.
 
According to the department of defence in Britain, XP will not be used when the trial stage is over and the system goes active.
 
Would you rather it be powered by windows 10.......

Captain:”fire cruise missiles!”
Fire control: “we can’t sir, Windows 10 is updating!”
 
Travolta said:
Would you rather it be powered by windows 10.......

Captain:”fire cruise missiles!”
Fire control: “we can’t sir, Windows 10 is updating!”
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They claim a BAE systems custom made environment is going to be deployed.
 
Travolta said:
Would you rather it be powered by windows 10.......

Captain:”fire cruise missiles!”
Fire control: “we can’t sir, Windows 10 is updating!”
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But then it would be

Captain: "Cortana , fire cruise missiles!"
 
Heh, I wasn't even thinking Win10 spy editions Cortana. Never even considered having it enabled.
 
B00nie said:
According to the department of defence in Britain, XP will not be used when the trial stage is over and the system goes active.
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Apparently, the UK nuclear subs run an XP variant named "Windows for Submarines", so I wouldn't be surprised if these ships end up running "Windows for Warships" :D
 
Actually in an isolated environment xp makes much more sense. It's reliable and lightweight, and if it's isolated from external access it's fine.
 
Unfortunately no system is safe from usb based attacks. Perhaps they use only PS/2 mouse / keyboards?

At least subs are pretty effectively 'water gapped' at most times lol.
 
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