U2 spy plane fries air traffic control computers, shuts down LA airport

[CougarKing]

Spy Plane Fries Air Traffic Control Computers, Shuts Down LAX

A relic from the Cold War appears to have triggered a software glitch at a major air traffic control center in California Wednesday that led to delays and cancellations of hundreds of flights across the country, sources familiar with the incident told NBC News.

On Wednesday at about 2 p.m., according to sources, a U-2 spy plane, the same type of aircraft that flew high-altitude spy missions over Russia 50 years ago, passed through the airspace monitored by the L.A. Air Route Traffic Control Center in Palmdale, Ca. The L.A. Center handles landings and departures at the region’s major airports, including Los Angeles International (LAX), San Diego and Las Vegas.

(...)

Though the exact technical causes are not known, the spy plane’s altitude and route apparently overloaded a computer system called ERAM, which generates display data for air-traffic controllers. Back-up computer systems also failed.

(...EDITED-FULL STORY AT LINK BELOW)

NBC news

 

[AJFitzpatrick]

Didn't realize that the U2 was still flying ... pretty awesome for a +50 year old design intended for surveillance although I'm sure it isn't carrying the 1950's electronics package.

 

[George Wallace]

Didn't realize that the U2 was still flying ... pretty awesome for a +50 year old design intended for surveillance although I'm sure it isn't carrying the 1950's electronics package.

There are many aircraft still flying past the 50 year mark.....Look at our Sea Kings.

 

[cupper]

Had a coworker that got delayed flying out of Vegas back to Denver.

Would have missed a submission deadline if it weren't for the wonders of the internet and wi-fi.

 

[Good2Golf]

In software engineering (of the ATC software), it seems someone/organization failed to do their job correctly, and was the actual cause of the fault, not the U-2.  The computer scientist in me wonders what other software glitches are out there in the ATC software beyond an out-of-range data failure for reported altitude.  :-\

 

[Zoomie]

Lots of 50 year old warplanes still flying. B-52 and U-2 are two such examples.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Lots of 50 year old warplanes still flying. B-52 and U-2 are two such examples.

That always blows me away..............how many folks would feel comfortable in a 50 year old car?  And it's already on the ground..............

 

[Zoomie]

They rebuild the BUFFs out here at Tinker.  Strip off the paint, take off the wings, pull out every wire and control cable from the inside.  Then rebuild it from the ground up.  If you did this every 5 years to a classic car - it would be in pretty good working order.

 

[AJFitzpatrick]

Apparently the last U2 delivery was 1989 (Wikipedia) so the actual U2 aircraft flying might not be all that old.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

They rebuild the BUFFs out here at Tinker.  Strip off the paint, take off the wings, pull out every wire and control cable from the inside.  Then rebuild it from the ground up.  If you did this every 5 years to a classic car - it would be in pretty good working order.

Yes, but my rubber is still on the ground........ ;D

 

[cupper]

Yes, but my rubber is still on the ground........ ;D

You should really dispose of your rubber in a more appropriate manner. >