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The U.S. Navy has begun using Xbox-style controllers to operate anti-drone laser systems on its warships. According to Interesting Engineering, these controllers provide the targeting precision and rapid input speed needed for the weapons platform. Many sailors are already familiar with the handheld layout, which helps during training. While specific details about wiring or whether the system is off-the-shelf remain unclear, this marks a shift from previous experimental setups.

This deployment follows earlier tests on the USS George H.W. Bush supercarrier and reportedly includes use in the Strait of Hormuz against drones and other threats. Lasers have previously been used to neutralize drones from land-based systems, such as Mexican cartel drones in late August and Shahed suicide drones by Ukraine in mid-2026. The Royal Navy is also installing similar systems on its destroyers, expecting them to be operational by next year.

Lasers are considered cost-effective compared to traditional missiles or close-in weapons systems because they rely on electricity rather than conventional ammunition. A single laser engagement costs approximately $13 in electricity, whereas an anti-aircraft missile can cost thousands or millions of dollars. As long as a vessel has sufficient power from its turbines or nuclear reactors and the system remains serviceable, these lasers can continue defending ships even after traditional ammo runs out.