kuhla Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 source - http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/01/army-gun-turrets/ source - http://www.army.mil/article/156189/Remote_controlled_weapons_augment_Soldiers_on_perimeter_at_NIE_16_1/ ....But with a new prototype perimeter protection system currently being tested at Fort Bliss, Texas, a single soldier sitting safely within the command bunker -- instead being of up on the wire -- can potentially do the work of 10.The system, dubbed Tower Hawk, utilizes extendable towers packed into TEU shipping containers, known as "containerized weapons systems". Each station can be assembled in less than an hour by six soldiers. At the top of each tower sits a Browning M-2 50-caliber machine gun and a .338 Lapua sniper rifle (what, no lasers?). These weapons stations are wired together using the standard Joint All Hazard Command Control System and controlled remotely by a single operator. The Army unveiled the new system as part of the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 16.1, a NATO-organized event that aims to share new technologies among the coalition's members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malaphax Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 I think it's a cool system, and these type of technology based force multipliers are going to become commonplace in all modern militaries. I love how for quite some time the military was against the idea of videogames and the bad habits that videogame players have when they join. And yet every new piece of tech seems to use an xbox controller and I bet a person familiar with videogames would be more adept at using and navigating these systems. Hell, I know that drone pilot programs target gamers as well. I just think it's a funny shift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuhla Posted October 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 And yet every new piece of tech seems to use an xbox controller and I bet a person familiar with videogames would be more adept at using and navigating these systems. Hell, I know that drone pilot programs target gamers as well. I just think it's a funny shift. I think I've brought this up before but I actually chalk it up to ergonomics. Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo put a lot of thought, money and research time into ergonomics for their handheld controllers. Zero reason to reinvent the wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malaphax Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Ergonomics aside, the use of those controllers is only reinforcing that a certain level of experience in using a controller and coordination that would be present in games would be a benefit and not a detriment. I'm not talking about their choice to use an xbox controller, I'm talking about the fact that playing the latest call of duty would give you a solid advantage in skills when using their platform. There's a reason why the FAA allows pilots to use microsoft flight simulator as a substitute for some cockpit time. While I wouldn't go so far to suggest that any game is a substitute for military experience, I would be willing to put down money that a gamer would be a better operator of this system than someone who does not play games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi2155 Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Still give me a mouse and keyboard....I'd be interested in a point and click interface (click to center) and WASD for panning. The sniper rifle idea is very interesting though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuhla Posted October 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Still give me a mouse and keyboard....I'd be interested in a point and click interface (click to center) and WASD for panning. The sniper rifle idea is very interesting though... http://i.imgur.com/X6lKxb1.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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