The American Armed Forces use a lot of complex equipment. It’s part of why the U.S. military is equipped to handle a wide variety of missions with such precision and power. But if you’re going to have a lot of technology, you also need a fighting force capable of using it. Controls can vary but if you provide users with something familiar, it’s a lot easier to train troops to execute tasks in a shorter period of time. This is where the humble military video game controller comes into play. While you may not think of the Xbox 360 as an essential part of national security, the U.S. military continues to retrofit the console’s controllers to fit a variety of operational functions.
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Does the Military Use Xbox Controllers?
Old or new, it doesn’t matter, the military uses Xbox controllers for a number of devices. The idea of the military video game controller comes into light as high-profile disasters in the civilian world made headlines in 2023. The fiscal year 2024 (FY 2024) budget for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) outlines the need for such tech.
The Xbox-style controllers are for operating Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) launchers, Manuever-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) systems, and even drones. All of which are positioned to play notable roles in potential future conflicts throughout the Pacific.
While each military Xbox controller works similarly, it’s still not confirmed whether or not they are related systems. Regardless, Xbox controller military use is far from new or unique to these applications. For years, the Navy has been using them on Virginia-class. The Army uses them to help with bomb disposals over an even longer period of time.
Both Britain and Israel have also used similar controllers in similar applications. Some of the U.S. military Xbox controller use seems to be proprietary but based on Microsoft’s design. Others are simply modded versions of off-the-shelf models. Whatever the case, it’s clear that the idea persists among multiple military forces to aid with ease of use.
A Recent Topic of Discussion
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 kicked off the seventh generation of home video game consoles back in 2005. People would scour eBay, wait in long lines, and pay exorbitant prices just to get their hands on the systems back in the day. All while praying to avoid the infamous Ring of Death.
But nearly two decades later, the military uses Xbox controllers in a decision that some may see as controversial. A topic that may have once flown under the radar has garnered much more attention lately, specifically due to the Titan submersible implosion that occurred in 2023.
Many mocked the idea of using such a controller to descend to such depths; however, it’s not an uncommon approach. Similar to the benefits of training and practical usage in the military, other sophisticated vehicles can use simplified technology for control.
Video games are a far cry from what they once were. Everyone may have their own preference but home consoles are commonplace across America. Specifically, you’re going to find them in households that have members who fit the target demographic of the military’s recruiting.
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Military Video Game Controllers Make Practical and Fiscal Sense
Despite the high-profile mishaps of a similar application, the military using an Xbox controller is a prime example of American ingenuity and innovation. Just like the military’s supercomputer made up of Sony PlayStation 3 consoles.
In addition to the U.S. military using Xbox controllers for ease of training and application, it’s also important to point out the cost of such usage. Buying a new video game controller can be a lot less expensive than purchasing a new piece of sophisticated technology. Even when the design is borrowed, the military saves on research and development (R&D).
When you look at the cheaper approach to an interface, ease of training, and widespread familiarity with how they work, a military video game controller makes sense. To all the parents who said gaming would lead nowhere, you may want to take a different approach. Gaming helps keep our nation free.
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