Laser Weapon Operated Using Xbox Controllers Deployed by US Military in Strait of Hormuz: Report
The US military has deployed high-energy laser weapons in the Strait of Hormuz and along southern border regions to counter aerial threats. The systems can destroy drones and cruise missiles using concentrated beams and are operated with modified Xbox controllers. However, their effectiveness can be limited by weather and large drone swarms.
The United States military has begun deploying high-energy laser weapons in the Strait of Hormuz and along domestic southern border regions to neutralise aerial threats at a fraction of traditional missile costs. These advanced systems, affixed to naval battleships due to their heavy weight, utilize concentrated beams of photons to destroy incoming drones and cruise missiles by heating their surfaces until structural failure occurs.
The technological deployment represents a significant milestone in directed-energy research, which has been under development for decades. As per a report by The New York Post, the Department of War confirmed that these lasers provide a cost-effective defense mechanism against aerial attacks compared to conventional kinetic interceptors, despite the overarching project carrying an investment of approximately USD 500 million. Minab School Strike in Iran: Outdated Data and AI ‘Kill Chain’ Overreliance Behind Deaths of 123 Children, Says Report.
Xbox Controllers Used for Weapon Targeting
In an unconventional design choice, military personnel operate these high-powered laser defense systems using reconfigured Xbox game console controllers. Defense officials noted that rather than designing specialized proprietary hardware, adopting commercially optimized gaming interfaces offers superior ergonomics and reduces training curves for operators familiar with modern consumer electronics.
Military analysts have observed that the familiar interface allows soldiers to acquire and track targets efficiently, drawing comparisons to virtual simulation environments. While current laser deployments remain restricted to heavy battleship integrations and border surveillance rather than portable infantry units, experts suggest the technology could eventually transform military logistics by reducing reliance on physical ammunition stockpiles. Turkey to Gradually Withdraw From Key Iraq Military Base, Hand Control to Baghdad.
Technical Capabilities and Operational Limitations
The systems currently deployed include configurations like the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance units, capable of projecting a 60-kilowatt beam to disable sensors or detonate targets. Boeing has also introduced compact alternatives aimed at smaller aerial threats. However, military engineers note that laser effectiveness remains constrained by environmental factors, requiring clear atmospheric conditions and facing challenges when engaging massive swarms of multiple drones simultaneously.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2026 10:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).