When I worked for the Inland Revenue (UK), we had vast numbers of NT4 machines, both server and workstation being rolled out to replace the UNIX servers and Win311 workstations.

Because of the size of the order, and importance for confidentiality, we recieved a "custom" version of NT. It had a different build number, a replacement GINA, and some other security features added in. If microsoft are prepared to do that for the UK Tax man, I would have thought that the US Military would get full sourcecode to audit, and then build themselves. Any bugs would probably be fixed even after NT4 support officially ends.

At the end of the day Microsoft is still a business like any other. So long as what you want is legal, there will be a price at which you can get it.

I'd also say the reason they haven't upgraded, is because the systems will be fully audited, and well maintained. Upgrading to 2k3 and Vista will just open up potential security holes left right and center.

I think we agree - I'd have had no problem with a well-justified, carefully-explained "well, it depends on this, this and this". To just say "well, it depends" is lazy and unhelpful.

Of course, it could be an undercover Microsoft advertisement too, seeing as they're always banging on about providing lower TCO. Perhaps they're just hoping that managers will see an "independent" article as giving credibility to their claims... whoops, must keep control of my cynicism gland ;)