It’s been confirmed that the US Navy have now launched a submarine which has sensors that are controlled using Xbox games controllers.
While only a very small part of the vessel actually uses the input device, it might surprise gamers to hear what the Microsoft controllers are being used for.
Instead of maneuvering a character around the screen, the USS Colorado is using Xbox controllers to operate two photonics masts.
These are 21st century periscopes which don’t require the periscope tube, limiting the risk of leakage.
Here’s more from the US Navy site, which states: “The Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine, USS Colorado (SSN 788) is equipped with non-penetrating digital camera periscopes called Photonics Masts.
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“Normally, submarines are built with two classic style periscopes. The Technical Insertion called TI-14, and Advanced Processing Build APB-13, allows the Photonics Masts the option to be controlled with wired video game controllers.
“Though others have tested prototypes, Colorado is the first submarine operating from the start with the gaming controllers.”
According to Cmdr. Reed Koepp, the Colorado’s commanding officer, most other submarines use joysticks, however, it’s apparently advantageous to use gaming controllers instead.
This is due to the fact that many of the young sailors already know how to use them well.
Interestingly enough, the pictures posted on the US Navy site shows crewmen using an Xbox 360 controller, not one of the newer Xbox One devices.
The sub itself is 377-foot-long and weighs around 7,800 tons when submerged and is the 15th Virginia-class attack submarine to join the fleet.
“USS Colorado is a true marvel of technology and innovation, and it shows the capability that our industrial partners bring to the fight,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer.
“Today’s world requires undersea platforms designed for dominance across a broad spectrum of regional and littoral missions, and I am confident Colorado will proudly serve in defense of our nation’s interests for decades to come.”
Xbox and PlayStation controllers are now used in a wide selection of industries, away from their traditional areas.
Some visualisation software used in 3D MRI and CAT Scans use Xbox controllers to manipulate the view of the display and help prepare teams for invasive surgery.
The first Pack-bot bomb disposal robots employed laptops with PlayStation controller plugged in, which again, benefitted from the younger generation having experience using them.
The US Navy even has a prototype laser weapon that uses “a video game-like controller” to disable and destroy targets.