The US military is operating weapons and equipment with custom game controllers

The big picture: Images of cannibalized game controllers in the hands of US service members and other people in conflict zones have circulated worldwide for years. However, photos from a US Defense Department website show that the military has gradually turned toward original designs for various purposes, drawing obvious inspiration from game consoles.

Imagine operating a truck-mounted laser to detonate mines and other unexploded ordinance with controls resembling an Xbox gamepad. Photos from the US military show that the Defense Department has been preparing such systems for some time – and this isn't the only example of video game-derived equipment in use.

The Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance (RADBO) system, which neutralizes munitions using a three-kilowatt laser mounted on an 18-ton vehicle, incorporates one of several variants of the Freedom of Movement Control Unit (FMCU). While the FMCU features a unique array of face buttons, its two control sticks, directional pad, and side grips closely resemble standard controllers from Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo.

Photos of field operators using Xbox pads to control drones and other gear date back at least to the early 2000s. For example, the Navy's USS Colorado attack submarine uses an Xbox 360 controller for its photonics mast, a kind of high-tech periscope.

More recently, Ukrainians have been pictured using Valve's Steam Deck handheld gaming PC to operate drones and automatic turrets amid the country's ongoing conflict with Russia. The included screen and full-blown Linux operating system likely make it ideal for controlling various devices remotely. The ill-fated Titan submersible was also controversially controlled with an off-the-shelf Logitech gamepad.

The reasons behind the trend are obvious. Game console makers have spent decades perfecting ergonomic methods for controlling machines with two hands. Furthermore, the ubiquitousness of gaming has familiarized younger generations with these designs, making them a natural fit for military and other specialized applications.

A brochure from contractor Ultra Electronics Measurement Systems Inc. showcases multiple versions of the FMCU, each with drastically different button arrangements tailored to specific functions. Unique features include built-in screens, backlit buttons, triggers, paddles, and knobs.

The company advertises the device as a versatile method for controlling payloads, turrets, guided munitions, cameras, robots, and other weapons systems. Another variant has been pictured connected to a missile defense system, and the British Challenger 2 tank's fire controller uses a similar grip-based design.