The US Navy will begin using Xbox controllers to control periscopes

When we imagine periscopes on submarines, it’s usually someone peering into a multi-mirrored pop-up tube. But that’s just as outdated as people using payphones. These days, it’s cameras and big screens and, soon, Xbox controllers.

The U.S. Navy is set to begin stocking its Virginia-class subs with Microsoft’s ubiquitous gaming controller, starting with the U.S.S. Colorado, according to the Navy Times and Virginian-Pilot.

The traditional tube periscope has been replaced with a photonic mast setup that can rotate 360 degrees and allow the user to view their target in different light spectra, as well as not requiring all the space and engineering and old-style periscope would need. Down in the control room of the submarine, the masts connect to large monitors visible to anyone in sight.

The decision came from the Navy talking to its junior officers and finding out how it can make their jobs easier.

 

Article source: https://www.technobuffalo.com/2017/09/24/us-navy-xbox-controller-submarine-persicope/