{
  "id": 9605823,
  "title": "US Laser Weapons Deployed In Strait Of Hormuz Can Be Operated Using Xbox Controllers: Report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/us-laser-weapons-deployed-in-strait-of-hormuz-can-be-operated-using",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T17:24:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/us-laser-weapons-deployed-in-strait-of-hormuz-can-be-operated-using-xbox-controllers-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States military has begun using high-energy laser systems in the Strait of Hormuz to counter drones and incoming cruise missiles. Deployed by Donald Trump’s Department of War, these systems can destroy drones at a lower cost compared to kinetic weapons such as missiles. The use of these laser weapons, which draw power from generators or battery packs to generate concentrated beams of light, is made possible through modified Xbox controllers. This control mechanism was deemed cost-effective by the military, as developing a new interface would not provide significant benefits. Deployed in operational environments, including the Middle East and the southern border, these systems differ from conventional anti-drone and missile-defence systems by not requiring a separate physical interceptor for every target. However, the US military is reportedly spending around $500 million on the programme. While laser weapons have proven effective against Mexican cartels and aboard US Navy vessels in the Middle East, they have not yet been used against human targets. Despite their potential, these portable laser weapons are not expected to become common in the region due to their size and weight, limiting their use to naval vessels.",
  "summary": "The US military has begun deploying high-energy laser systems in the Strait of Hormuz, using the technology to counter drones in the Middle East. In an unusual feature of the system, American soldiers operate the weapons with modified Xbox gaming controllers. According to a report by The New York Post, Donald Trump’s Department of War said the systems can destroy \"drones and incoming cruise…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "US Deploying Laser Weapons In Hormuz That Can Be Operated With Xbox Console: Report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/us-deploying-laser-weapons-in-hormuz-that-can-be-operated-with-xbox",
        "published": "2026-09-24T16:07:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}