That was for efficiency on getting periscope qualified, most recruits already have familiarity with game controllers and it reduces training time since things like zooming with triggers just comes naturally due to the standardization of such things in gaming.
They’re wired though, and it’s just an input for the periscope system which is otherwise running the same hardware.
That’s not new idea US Navy is using Xbox 360 Controller in USS Colorado submarine - https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/18/17136808/us-navy-uss-colorado-xbox-controller
That was for efficiency on getting periscope qualified, most recruits already have familiarity with game controllers and it reduces training time since things like zooming with triggers just comes naturally due to the standardization of such things in gaming.
They’re wired though, and it’s just an input for the periscope system which is otherwise running the same hardware.
The US Navy uses Xbox controllers for control of the periscope only, not driving the submarine around.