Ouija Board Succumbs To Technology

Feuer Frei! · 08-10-11, 06:34 PM

One had to wonder why in the age of Blue Force Trackers and cell phone-bound GPS units, the anachronistic ouija board stayed around this long on America’s aircraft carriers, but it now looks as if this antique is destined for the dust bin.

One of the most low-tech pieces of equipment on one of the Navy’s most high-tech ships is being replaced.
The “Ouija Board,” which has tracked aircraft movement on aircraft carriers since World War II, is being phased out of the sea service in the name of technological development.
It is the simplest of systems aboard nuclear reactor-powered ships. In a room next to the flight deck, with a window overlooking part of it, a handler officer watches over a tabletop model of the carrier. The officer’s assorted crew move models of jets, helicopters and other assets around the model deck to match the movements of the real-life counterparts lumbering just outside.
The Ouija board’s computerized replacement is currently only onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, where its performance will be evaluated this summer. Plans are to install the new system on all carriers by 2015, according to Marcia Hart-Wise, a spokeswoman with Naval Air Systems Command.
The upgrade will require a handler to track flight deck activity via computer, working with a tri-screen display and a monitor that will be fed data directly from the flight deck, said Bruce Chiodi, who is leading the program for NAVAIR.

The Navy story reports that not all handlers are happy with the high-tech replacement.

“I am not a fan of fixing things that are not broke,” he said in an email. “I am old school, I guess.”

Yeah, and as one of our colleagues pointed out, where’s the Air Boss going to put his coffee?

SOURCE

Buddahaid · 08-10-11, 07:14 PM

I smell failure....

Osmium Steele · 08-10-11, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

I smell failure....

Why? Just pop-rivet a cupholder to a nearby stanchion and the air boss will have a spill proof place for his java.

Anthony W. · 08-10-11, 08:25 PM

Lets say it DOESN'T work at first... We potentially lose multi million dollar jets.

It's like someone once said, "We are the only species trying to make ourselves obsolete."

Also, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

em2nought · 08-10-11, 09:26 PM

Sounds like a lot of tax money to replace something cheap that works fine.

TLAM Strike · 08-10-11, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by em2nought

Sounds like a lot of tax money to replace something cheap that works fine.

Its not as cheap as you might think, everyone keeps stealing the little toy planes they use.

Growler · 08-11-11, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

I smell failure....

That's just wires burning, but power and electrical systems never fail on ships, so it'll be OK.

/facepalm

kraznyi_oktjabr · 08-11-11, 09:13 AM

So there is now one more little thing to fix and maintain? Great.

Blood_splat · 08-11-11, 10:10 AM

It'll be replaced by the Ipad.

08-10-11, 06:34 PM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Ouija Board Succumbs To Technology One had to wonder why in the age of Blue Force Trackers and cell phone-bound GPS units, the anachronistic ouija board stayed around this long on America’s aircraft carriers, but it now looks as if this antique is destined for the dust bin. One of the most low-tech pieces of equipment on one of the Navy’s most high-tech ships is being replaced. The “Ouija Board,” which has tracked aircraft movement on aircraft carriers since World War II, is being phased out of the sea service in the name of technological development. It is the simplest of systems aboard nuclear reactor-powered ships. In a room next to the flight deck, with a window overlooking part of it, a handler officer watches over a tabletop model of the carrier. The officer’s assorted crew move models of jets, helicopters and other assets around the model deck to match the movements of the real-life counterparts lumbering just outside. The Ouija board’s computerized replacement is currently only onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, where its performance will be evaluated this summer. Plans are to install the new system on all carriers by 2015, according to Marcia Hart-Wise, a spokeswoman with Naval Air Systems Command. The upgrade will require a handler to track flight deck activity via computer, working with a tri-screen display and a monitor that will be fed data directly from the flight deck, said Bruce Chiodi, who is leading the program for NAVAIR. The Navy story reports that not all handlers are happy with the high-tech replacement. “I am not a fan of fixing things that are not broke,” he said in an email. “I am old school, I guess.” Yeah, and as one of our colleagues pointed out, where’s the Air Boss going to put his coffee? SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

08-10-11, 07:14 PM	#2
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,319 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	I smell failure.... __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

08-10-11, 08:25 PM	#4
Anthony W. Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 850 Downloads: 130 Uploads: 0	Lets say it DOESN'T work at first... We potentially lose multi million dollar jets. It's like someone once said, "We are the only species trying to make ourselves obsolete." Also, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." __________________ Sunken Mustangs Proud Ford Mustang owner "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" - Admiral David Farragut Run silent - run deep - keep the baffles clear - targets front and center. Private pilot and history buff

08-10-11, 09:26 PM	#5
em2nought Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,485 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sounds like a lot of tax money to replace something cheap that works fine. __________________ em2nought is ecstatic garbage!

08-11-11, 09:13 AM	#8
kraznyi_oktjabr Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Republiken Finland Posts: 1,803 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	So there is now one more little thing to fix and maintain? Great. __________________ You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic. - Dr. House

08-11-11, 10:10 AM	#9
Blood_splat Samurai Navy Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Beneath the waves Posts: 568 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	It'll be replaced by the Ipad.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode