The rise of video game control as the preferred tool of the U.S. military.
After years of using traditional buttons, switches, and levers, the Pentagon has decided to adopt ergonomic video game-style controllers, already familiar to millions of potential recruits.
In a future conflict, U.S. troops will utilize the latest war machines not through complex control panels or science fiction-inspired touchscreens, but via controls that feel familiar to anyone who has grown up with an Xbox or PlayStation. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Defense has been gradually integrating variants of the Freedom of Movement Control Unit (FMCU) as the main control units for various advanced weapon systems.
These applications include, for example, the new NMESIS launch system, an anti-ship missile system based on light tactical vehicles, designed to fire the Naval Strike Missile, which is crucial for Marine Corps strategies in a potential future conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific. Similarly, the Army's M-SHORAD system, armed with Stinger and Hellfire missiles, along with a 30mm cannon, is considered a vital resource against aerial threats in a possible confrontation with Russia in Eastern Europe. Other applications include the RADBO truck, which uses a laser to disable explosives, and the HELEX laser system, which is currently in testing by the Marine Corps.
Since 2008, Measurement Systems Inc. (MSI), a subsidiary of the British contractor Ultra, has produced the FMCU, which has a design similar to that of an Xbox or PlayStation controller but with a robust structure designed to protect its sensitive electronics in hostile environments. MSI has partnered with major defense contractors like General Atomics and Boeing, providing these control devices for various aircraft and vehicle programs.
The popularity of the FMCU lies not only in its ergonomic design but also in the ease with which new soldiers can adapt to its use. The use of game-like controls in military operations is not a new concept. For over a decade, the Army and Marine Corps have employed Xbox controllers to operate unmanned vehicles, as well as other systems. This approach is shared by other militaries around the world, where game controllers have been used to operate vehicles and drones.
The trend has developed in response to the increasing familiarity of young soldiers with video game technology. A high percentage of the U.S. population is estimated to play video games, meaning the intuitive design of these controls benefits new recruits who are accustomed to these formats.
The use of game-style controllers presents various technical advantages, such as better tactile feedback compared to the touchscreens that are common in current military systems. Past experiences of the Navy have shown that a mechanical controller may be preferred by operators, providing more immediate and effective feedback.
As the FMCU and other controls of this type are implemented across multiple platforms of the U.S. Army, it is likely that these systems will continue to be used for many years. However, it remains to be seen how extensively they will be adopted across all branches of the military.