It Turns Out These Game Controllers Are Used on More Submarines Than You Think.
As the tragedy surrounding the Titan submersible seems irretrievable, the design flaws of this vessel have begun to attract significant attention. One notable concern is that this submersible is operated using a cheap game controller made by Logitech, known as the Logitech GF710.
This revelation has led to widespread criticism, especially considering that tickets for each trip on this submersible cost up to $250,000 per person, yet it is controlled by a game controller priced at just $70. However, it turns out that not only the Titan submersible employs such a controller; even the United States’ strategic nuclear submarines use a similar device for various operations.
CEO OceanGate with the game controller used to operate the Titan submersible.
In 2018, a report from USA Today mentioned that Commander Reed Koep, who served as the commanding officer on the USS Colorado submarine, stated that it was the first attack submarine where sailors used an Xbox 360 controller to operate optical masts instead of the conventional periscopes.
Typically, submarines use controllers to adjust optical equipment for viewing above water. An Engadget report revealed that the high-tech optical systems on newer submarines are not as simple and lightweight as the periscopes depicted in movies; they actually use control panels and controllers developed specifically by Lockheed Martin, costing around $38,000. Moreover, these systems tend to be cumbersome and require hours for sailors to become accustomed to using them.
Game controllers are also used in training.
According to Koepp, who is currently the head of the Nuclear Power Training Department in Charleston, South Carolina, game controllers are also utilized in training. This tool not only saves costs but also helps younger soldiers become familiar with equipment faster, as they understand how to use them through gaming.
Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars on Lockheed Martin’s control panel, Xbox controllers only cost around $30 (as of 2017) and are even cheaper due to bulk purchases by the U.S. Navy.
Additionally, another report from The Washington Post indicated that shortly thereafter, the Xbox 360 controller was approved for use on the billion-dollar Virginia-class submarines.
The Xbox 360 controller is approved for use on Virginia-class submarines.
Chief Mark Eichenlaub and pilot assistant John Warner noted in the Virginian-Pilot: “The controller is not only inexpensive, but its design fits well with the Virginia-class submarines. I can walk into any game store anywhere in the world and buy an Xbox controller, so it is very easy to replace.”
In a video about the USS Indiana submarine tour in 2022, Commander Scott Bresnahan also showcased the use of the Xbox 360 controller on the submarine and explained why it is favored by sailors. He stated: “They conducted various studies with young sailors and asked: ‘How can we make everything more intuitive, how can we help them become proficient faster with new equipment?’ And then they figured out how to use the Xbox controller.”
The Xbox 360 game controller is used on U.S. attack submarines.
With the Xbox controller, sailors can switch the camera from black and white to color, as well as utilize infrared capabilities and zoom in and out. He noted that it is much better than the older controllers, acknowledging that its cost is also an important factor: “Things like this only cost $60. What’s surprising is that they are wired. They don’t make many things like this anymore because most of them are Bluetooth.”
