Posted on 09/19/2017 2:43:55 PM PDT by PROCON
The cost of an Xbox 360 controller is significantly less than the joystick previously used to control the submarine periscope. (Lockheed Martin Photo)
OK, so my 10-year-old kid could board an advanced U.S. Navy submarine and operate the periscope? That seems to be the pretty cool assumption based on the fact that sailors are now using Xbox 360 controllers to perform functions aboard some vessels.
The Virginian-Pilot newspaper reported that the Microsoft game-console controllers have replaced the helicopter-style stick used to control the periscope on Virginia-class submarines.
The periscope itself is not the rotating tube most people think of thanks to Hollywood movies. Nowadays, the Pilot reported, subs are equipped with two photonics masts that rotate 360 degrees. High-resolution cameras send back images that are displayed on large monitors that everyone in the control room can see.
“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. j.g. Kyle Leonard, the USS John Warner’s assistant weapons officer. “And one of the things that came out is the controls for the scope. It’s kind of clunky in your hand; it’s real heavy.”
(Excerpt) Read more at geekwire.com ...
Allegheny Energy used a $125.00 Commodore Computer to run the control on the gates at a dam. The Commodore had an 8 bit port in the back. Engineer back a few for back up.
As for Joystick it’s hard to beat a Wico.
Static or over voltage damage? Fix the problem and get a new controller out of the box.
Drop resistance has been tested multiple times.
Salt water? If there is salt water at that station, looking through the periscope is fairly low on the priority list.
Explosive atmosphere? Well, you got me there.
“As for Joystick it’s hard to beat a Wico.”
Yep! Your sticko won’t go wacko if it’s a Wico.
Yep, there's a reason why the mil-spec controller is "heavy and clunky".
so does this mean when the next x box up grade comes out are sub will get new up grades.
The device can be easily sealed by using Hall effect sensors on the joystick. Electronics stay on the inside. Fisher (Emerson Process Management) uses similar technology on their DVC valve controllers where the valve position is measured using a Hall effect sensor. Works in a refinery, chemical plant, and offshore environments where the electrical area classification is Class 1 Division 1(National Electric Code).
Made by Microsoft.
Now we know why our ships keep crashing into cargo haulers.
That $38K price they quoted includes the imaging control panel.
Yeah, the defense contractors lobbied congress and promised high six five jobs to the military officers involved in awarding the contract to get all those garbage requirements inserted into the bidding specification. The Xbox controller is probably even overbuilt for the real requirements. Rehouse a SNES controller into a shielded watertight housing and save money on spares.
But these are MILITARY XBox controllers, so they cost $85,000 each and have to be made by someone with contacts in the Pentagon.
The way billions of dollars of Navy Warships are crashing,running aground or being run into,I would think ten year olds are already driving,sailing or piloting these ships and submarines.
Always have backups.
Maybe people who have the mental capacity of those "ten year olds" are operating those ships?
About 3 or so years ago there was a truck in front of my house with a guy in it sitting behind a computer screen controlling a remote vehicle which was inspecting the sewer line. He was using an Xbox controller. I was surprised but then the logic of in was evident.
USA Xbox vs Russian PlayStation.
Who will win the Battle of the Seas!
Unless you have one pilot pushing one way while the co-pilot pushes the other way (Air France 447).
OTOH, there was Egypt Air 990.....but at least it was obvious (didn’t make a difference, of course).
They found out, too late, that one of them was constantly pulling up (back) on the joystick. Unbelievable. How can you have a pilot that doesn’t understand stall? Well, there’s one less like that now.
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