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System Design Lessons from the USS McCain

The Navy installed touch-screen steering systems to save money.

Ten sailors paid with their lives.

ProPublica
USS McCain in 2019 (U.S. Navy Photo)

Ten sailors died after the crew of the destroyer USS John S. McCain lost control of their vessel, causing a collision with the merchant tanker Alnic MC. There was nothing technically wrong with the vessel or its controls. Though much of the blame was put on the Sailors and Officers aboard, the real fault rests with the design of the Integrated Bridge & Navigation System (IBNS).

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