U.S. to use supercomputer for ocean data

WASHINGTON, July 10 (UPI) -- The IBM Corp. says the U.S. government has purchased a supercomputer to provide improved data for the nation's military and commercial ocean-going vessels.

IBM said the U.S. Department of Defense will use the Power 575 Hydro-Cluster, water-cooled supercomputer to provide some of the most detailed models of ocean waves, currents and temperature ever constructed to help scientists predict the behavior of the oceans with incredible precision.

Although to be primarily used by the U.S. Navy, the ocean models will be publicly accessible via the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Web site, helping keep commercial ships out of harm's way. The ocean models will also be used by the U.S. Coast Guard to improve its search-and-rescue capabilities.

IBM said the supercomputer located at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi will also be used as a platform for research and development in ocean science and other areas vital to the nation's defense.