GoKawiilUS Navy deploys Xbox-style controllers to operate shipboard anti-drone lasers
The U.S. Navy has begun fielding anti-drone laser weapons controlled with Xbox-style game controllers aboard warships, according to Interesting Engineering. The systems have reportedly been used against drones and other threats in the Strait of Hormuz, following earlier testing aboard the USS George H.W. Bush.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Using familiar game-controller interfaces could cut training time for sailors already accustomed to the layout, though it remains unclear if the Navy uses off-the-shelf hardware or a custom-built variant. The move follows a broader trend of militaries adopting consumer-style gaming peripherals for complex weapons and vehicle systems, raising questions about reliability standards for life-or-death equipment that were previously highlighted by the Titan submersible's use of a similar controller.
- The U.S. Navy is using Xbox-style controllers to operate anti-drone laser weapons on warships.
- The system has reportedly been used in the Strait of Hormuz against drones and other threats.
- The UK's Royal Navy is installing a similar laser system on its destroyers, expected operational by next year.
Xbox Wireless Controller — The exact style of controller the Navy is leveraging for its anti-drone laser systems, thanks to its intuitive layout and precise analog sticks. It's a great way to experience the same familiar, ergonomic design that makes complex control tasks approachable for newcomers and veterans alike.
See Xbox Wireless Controller on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tomshardware.com — Jowi Morales, 2026-10-04
Published there as: “US Navy uses Xbox-style controllers to fire anti-drone lasers deployed on ships”
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