U.S. leads Super Computer race but mostly uses them for milit. application

[henslee]

(cool article with list of who has supercomputers...)
http://www.mindfully.org/Technology/2005/Computer-Arms-Race19aug05.htm

While the United States has regained the lead in supercomputing achievement, its researchers have benefited unevenly. The armed forces and intelligence agencies have traditionally commanded the very largest computing systems here, for example, while other countries have devoted their speediest computers to other efforts, notably research on climate change.

"These machines can be used to answer questions that literally will mean the life or death of humanity," said Peter A. Freeman, assistant director for computer and information sciences and engineering for the National Science Foundation. "Currently the data the United States has at its disposal is not as good as what the Japanese have. It's a national strategy question."