The military have ALWAYS used civilian and commercial based components for tsks if it is the best tool for the job.MonkeyPunch said:Bit OT, but I've always thought it a little amusing that a lot of the Armies tech. is controlled via Xbox 360 controllers.
I saw a documentary on Afghanistan recently and the UAV pilots were flying them using a 360 controller. So I'm guessing there has to be a fair bit of equipment with the US Army that has had 360 controller drivers coded for them.
(random pics)
You have to admit, the Xbox 360 is a good computer input device for the tpy of output they want to emulate, while still reliable and durable, do you really think it would be wise to blow say $50 Million of taxpayers money trying to design, develop, test and manufacture another controller (in a small batch size) that in all likelihood won't be as good, won't be as familiar and won't be as compatible.
Just buy a load of them off the shelf. It's the cheapest, quickest and most effective option.
The first Red Dot sight was used for sport hunting. The first red dot sights used in combat was designed for hunters, but used by special forces anyway. In fact in the early stages of Afghan/Iraq wars many soldiers procured ans used their own sights, magazines and muzzle devices from the civilian market.
See the vast commercial market has an economy of scale even the largest of armies would be jealous of. Ideally the US Military should try to buy civilian off-the-shelf stuff as much as possible unless it is specifically unfit for military requirements though frankly the danger of 1-star-reviews to sales the massive commercial market can often over-specify even above military standard.