German Navy Modernizes Brandenburg Class Frigate By Removing Use Of 8-Inci Disket

German frigate class Brandenburg, will leave disket storage (photo: x @marek_reszka ·)

The German Navy is trying to modernize their Brandenburg (F123) class frigates, which means ending their dependence on the 8-inch disk for the data acquisition system (DAQ) on the ship.

Frigate F123 uses a disk for their onboard DAQ system, which is important for controlling various ship functions, including power plants. This system records crucial operating parameters. These ships themselves specialize in anti-submarine and air defense warfare.

Earlier this month, Germany's defense news website, Augen gerodiaus!, saw a tender for service published on June 21 by the Office of the Federal Equipment, Information Technology, and Support in Bundeswehr Service (BAAINBw) to modernize four German Navy F123 frigates.

These ships started operating from October 1994 to December 1996. According to German IT news website Heise, the continuous use of 8-inch diskets despite modern alternatives over the years "regarding the fact that established systems are considered more reliable."

Instead of replacing the entire DAQ, the government plans to develop and integrate an onboard emulation system to replace the disk. This is in contrast to the US Air Force approach which in 2019 replaced the 8-inch disk to store operational data on the intercontinental command, control and ballistic missile network with SSD.

BAAINBw has hired Saab for the F123 update. In July 2021, Saab announced it won a contract to "send and integrate new naval radars and fire controllers for the German Navy" F123, with work involving "a new combat management system to completely overhaul the system currently in use in F123, enabling low-risk integration of new naval radars and fire control capabilities." The Swedish company said the deal was worth around 4.6 billion SEZ (approximately IDR 7 trillion).

According to tender BAAINBw, the replacement of the disk is expected to start on October 1 and end on July 31, 2025. The F123 frigate is expected to continue operating until F126 is available, which is estimated to be between 2028 and 2031.

Further details, such as how to be precise Saab will replace the disket, confidential. There are various options for discet emulation, such as devices from Gotek-like brands that are popular with fans.

Although for most diskets it is considered obsolete, government bodies with long-running systems tend to be slower to leave this old storage media. Apart from the German Navy and the US Air Force, Japan just officially stopped using the disk in its government system.

The San Francisco City Transportation Agency plans to use a 51 fire drive to help operate the Muni Metro light train system until 2030. Various industries also continue to use a disk to run long-use engines, such as Chuck E. Cheese for its animatronics until 2023 and embroidery professionals with their embroidery machines.