Control grip from Aerco brings intuitive control and freedom of movement to military personnel

The new, patented FMCU (Freedom of Movement Control Unit) from Ultra Electronics Measurement Systems (MSI) and available in the UK from Aerco, is designed to suit a generation of military personnel that cut its teeth on joysticks and game controls. As experts in intuitive controls, MSI is the first manufacturer to design a fully ruggedised ‘game-style’ controller for military applications.

Lightweight and rugged, this new FMCU features MSI’s miniature Hall-effect joystick technology integrated into a control format commonly used for video game controllers. This optimises skills developed playing video games and significantly reduces the time required for training and assimilation while providing military personnel with a new generation of efficient and highly effective portable controllers that increases both spatial and situational awareness and can be vehicle mounted or used freely in the field.

The unit has a rugged aluminium-cast housing with a customisable aluminium switch plate and is fitted with impact and temperature resistant plastisol coated handles. Fully ruggedised, the FMCU is highly shock and vibration resistant, has a wide operating temperature range and is available sealed to IP67. It has a sunlight readable LCD screen that is available with optional touch screen control. Two triggers are provided with patented trigger guards and dead man switches.

The configuration and function of the FMCU switches can be customised and programmed to suit a wide range of military applications in extreme environments such as controlling manned and unmanned military vehicles, unattended sensors and weaponry. It is also ideal for use in robotics.