Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 19-09-2017
The U.S. Navy says it plans to use Xbox 360 controllers to operate periscopes aboard its newer submarines.
The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, reported Saturday that the Navy’s Virginia-class subs don’t have a traditional rotating periscope.
They’re being replaced by high-resolution cameras and large monitors.
They can be controlled by a helicopter-style stick. But the Navy plans to integrate an X-box controller into the system because they’re more familiar to younger sailors and require less training.
They’re also cheaper. A controller typically costs less than $30 (R399) compared to the $38,000 (R 506,600) cost of a photonic mast handgrip and imaging control panel.
The Xbox controller will be included as part of the integrated imaging system for Virginia-class subs beginning with the future USS Colorado and is expected to be commissioned by November.
– AP
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