The HMA GUY Journal

Paul Riddell replied -

Hey, I've seen that reporter mentality before (I worked for a year at a local weekly newspaper, and understood how the "write what you know" philosophy encourages so many weekly newspaper writers to write about porn and terminal alcoholism), but the main consideration isn't so much the writer's bias but the simple fact that the anti-missile laser doesn't work. Sorry, but computer simulations aren't the same thing as actual tests, the whole thing is starting to smell like that famed "tachyon weapon" that Norman Spinrad reported on back nearly twenty years ago.

To Which I took Issue -

To take issue with Mr. Riddell - the ABL does work. One has only to read recent articles in Aviation Week to see that.

Unfortunately, to use the simulation analogy is to not understand the what and whyfors one does simulations. True, simulations and emulations are not true tests. They are not designed to be. They are designed to present a variant or portion of design, not the complete design, based on an intended use.

However, the Government has determined that simulations are more cost effective than actually building something then having it not work. Case in point is the Future Combat System for the Army. FCS is being completely design/re-designed in a simulations environment before a single piece of hardware is bought. While this process still costs billions of taxpayer dollars, the process actully saves billions later on. Because if you build something in a simulations environment, then build emulators, and then build prototypes, the finished product is just that. Finished. And certainly saves the taxpayer from wankish statements such as it doesn't work.

Note: The Norman Spinrad comment was based on a story he told regarding the period of time he worked on the "Star Wars" program. He made a joke which some Government functionaries took seriously. As much as I admire Mr. Spinrads's writing, for one to repeat such a waggish story for effect; i.e. look how much smarter I am then these weasely and stupid bureaucrats, is intellectually bankrupt.