U.S. Department of Defense Adopts Familiar Game Controller Design for High-Tech Warfare
In the rapidly evolving landscape of military technology, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has been quietly integrating a piece of hardware that will be familiar to many civilians: a controller that closely resembles the ones used for Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles. These controllers, known as Freedom of Movement Control Units (FMCU), have been adopted to operate some of the most sophisticated and advanced military systems.
Gaming Controllers in the Hands of Soldiers
For years, the military has sought to develop user-friendly interfaces for complex systems, allowing soldiers to quickly and effectively operate advanced equipment. FMCUs offer a solution by drawing on a design that millions of young Americans are already familiar with—the gamepad. These controllers have proven to be intuitive, reducing the learning curve for new recruits who have grown up gaming, often using similar controls for hours on end.
The controllers are built with a design reminiscent of the Xbox and PlayStation handsets, with ergonomic grips, joysticks, and button layouts that allow for seamless control over military hardware. However, the FMCUs are ruggedized to withstand harsh conditions in combat zones, ensuring their durability in the field.
A Range of Military Applications
The FMCU’s versatility has seen it integrated across multiple military branches and systems. One of the most prominent uses is with the Navy Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS). This mobile anti-ship missile system relies on FMCU controllers to guide precision strikes, which is critical in the U.S. military’s strategic planning for the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition, the Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system used by the Army employs these controllers to operate a defense system bristling with missiles and machine guns mounted on the Stryker infantry fighting vehicle. M-SHORAD is designed to counter aerial threats in potential confrontations with adversaries like Russia in Eastern Europe.
Even more futuristic applications include the High Energy Laser-Expeditionary (HELEX) system, which is currently in testing. This laser weapon system, designed to take down drones and other threats, also utilizes the FMCU. The same can be said for the Recovery of Air Bases Denied by Ordnance (RADBO), which uses the controller to manage laser systems that clear unexploded munitions from airfields.
Familiarity Meets Functionality
The FMCU’s design, which mirrors popular gaming controllers, allows for a smooth transition for younger soldiers, many of whom have grown up with gaming as a significant part of their lives. By adopting these controls, the military can leverage pre-existing skills, allowing personnel to become adept at operating advanced systems more quickly.
In a statement to WIRED, an Air Force representative noted that the FMCU controllers were ideal for a younger demographic, saying, “For RADBO, the operators are generally a much younger audience. Therefore, utilizing a PlayStation or Xbox type of controller such as the FMCU seems to be a natural transition for the gaming generation.”
Built for Combat
While the FMCU resembles its gaming counterparts, it is engineered for military use. Manufactured by Measurement Systems Inc. (MSI), a subsidiary of Ultra Electronics, these controllers are designed to endure the extreme conditions soldiers might face in combat. Since their introduction in 2008, FMCUs have been utilized in numerous systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles and ground-based surveillance systems.
MSI has provided handheld controllers for various U.S. military programs as a subcontractor to major defense contractors like General Atomics and Lockheed Martin. Their ability to develop robust human-machine interfaces has made them a key player in the defense industry, with their joysticks and controllers featured in naval and aviation platforms.
The Future of Combat Control
The adoption of FMCUs highlights a broader trend in the U.S. military: the increasing integration of gaming-inspired technology into warfare. By using familiar controls, the military ensures its new systems are more accessible to the next generation of warfighters. This approach reduces training time and enhances operational efficiency as advanced weapons systems become ever more complex.
While the technology is not entirely new, the increased adoption of FMCUs across new platforms indicates that the U.S. military is committed to leveraging existing, widely-understood interfaces for future conflicts. The potential to reduce the time it takes to train operators, while tapping into their already-honed reflexes and muscle memory, could offer a significant tactical advantage in the years to come.