xbox controller on virginia class submarine

Ideally, what they want to see in 10 years down the road is, theres basically a glass panel display with windows, and you can just pull a window of information, review that, push it off, bring in the next window, he said. The goal is to develop technology that young people already are comfortable with, such as working with electronic touch screens on iPads and in virtual environments. The John Warner had a demonstration model aboard this past week as it transited from Naval Station Norfolk to Groton, Conn.Įichenlaub said the Navy doesnt plan on stopping innovation with the Xbox controller, either. The Xbox controller will be installed on other Virginia-class submarines, such as the Norfolk-based John Warner, through the normal modernization process, according to Brienne Lang, a spokeswoman for the Navys program executive office for submarines.

The Navy says that the system has gone through extensive testing over the past two years and that the Xbox controller will be included as part of the integrated imaging system for Virginia-class subs beginning with the future USS Colorado, which is supposed to be commissioned by November. The integration of the video game console controller grew out of that effort. Lockheed Martin and Navy officials have been working to use commercial off-the-shelf technology to reduce costs and take advantage of the technological skills sailors grow up with. Its kind of clunky in your hand its real heavy. ∺nd one of the things that came out is the controls for the scope. Kyle Leonard, the USS John Warners assistant weapons officer, referring to junior officers and sailors. The Navy got together and they asked a bunch of J.O.s and junior guys, What can we do to make your life better? said Lt. Theres no barrel to peer through anymore everything is controlled with a helicopter-style stick. They feature high-resolution cameras whose images are displayed on large monitors that everyone in the control room can see.

Its been replaced with two photonics masts that rotate 360 degrees.

Unlike other types of submarines people are familiar with from Hollywood, Virginia-class submarines dont have a traditional rotating tube periscope that only one person can look through at a time. The Xbox controller will be included as part of the integrated imaging system for Virginia-class submarines beginning this November.The Navy is beginning to use an Xbox 360 controller like the ones you find at the mall to operate the periscopes aboard Virginia-class submarines. Officers and sailors were able to figure out how to use Xbox controller on their own within minutes. This change not only reduces the costs but also reduces the training required. “I can go to any video game store and procure an Xbox controller anywhere in the world, so it makes a very easy replacement.” “That joystick is by no means cheap, and it is only designed to fit on a Virginia-class submarine,” said Senior Chief Mark Eichenlaub, the John Warner’s assistant navigator. Yes, they are going to replace a $38,000 control panel with a $40 off-the-shelf Xbox controller. Lockheed Martin has now decided to replace it with the popular Xbox controller. Navy officers and sailors found the controller very clunky and heavy in their hands. And it is controlled with a helicopter-style stick. US Navy’s Virginia-class submarines have advanced periscope with two photonics masts that rotate 360 degrees. Complex problems often have simple solutions.

Xbox controller on virginia class submarine