Of course this is a far cry from ripping a SoC from a smartphone and putting it into e.g a bomber drone, but I assume there's much more being done - just not published.
One of the reasons cited for using XBox controllers was the availability. If one breaks, you can find them at any port. Very apropos in this context...
I have a vision that on a submarine there is a cable box, not unlike the one that most of us probably have, filled with random cables with connectors we haven't used in years. And somewhere in that tangled mess is a spare XBox controller. I can imagine some poor Seaman trying to untangle a the controller cord so that they can use a periscope. I'm sure the Navy is far more organized, but it's funny to think about.
I absolutely believe it-I use one professionally to maneuver an underwater ROV. They're intuitive, already familiar to a lot of people, and surprisingly reliable.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/19/16333376/us-navy-military...
Of course this is a far cry from ripping a SoC from a smartphone and putting it into e.g a bomber drone, but I assume there's much more being done - just not published.