Gaming News

Steam Decks Are Being Used By the Ukrainian Army to Control Turrets

The Ukrainian military is piloting actual turrets with a Steam Deck in war.

In various previous stories, I have spoken about the Steam Deck. These will be linked at the end of this post. In this post, I will talk about the Steam Deck, as well as some interesting news regarding the Steam Decks used in the Ukrainian military.

What is the Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming device developed by Valve Corporation, the same company behind the popular digital distribution platform Steam.

Announced in July 2021, the Steam Deck is designed to bring PC gaming on the go, offering a portable gaming experience with access to a vast library of games from Steam.

The Steam Deck features a compact form factor reminiscent of a traditional gaming console controller with a built-in screen and a more powerful hardware configuration.

The device boasts a 7-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels, allowing for crisp visuals and immersive gameplay. The display supports touch input, which can be used to navigate menus and interact with games with touch controls.

Under the hood, the Steam Deck is powered by a custom APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) developed by AMD. The APU combines a quad-core Zen 2 CPU with eight threads and an RDNA 2 GPU.

This hardware configuration is similar to what you would find in modern gaming PCs and consoles, making the Steam Deck capable of running a wide range of games with impressive graphics and performance.

In terms of storage, the Steam Deck offers three different models: 64GB eMMC, 256GB NVMe SSD, and 512GB NVMe SSD. The NVMe SSD models provide faster storage speeds, allowing for quicker game loading times and smoother overall performance. Additionally, all models feature a microSD card slot for expandable storage, enabling players to install and store more games on the device.

To ensure a comfortable gaming experience, the Steam Deck includes built-in controls. It features an array of buttons, including two thumbsticks, a D-pad, four face buttons, four triggers, and grip buttons on the rear.

These controls provide a familiar console-like setup, making it easy for gamers to jump into their favorite titles without additional peripherals. Additionally, the device offers gyroscopic sensors, which can be utilized for motion controls in games that support them.

The Steam Deck runs on a custom SteamOS, Valve’s Linux-based operating system designed for gaming. However, unlike previous attempts at a Linux-based gaming console, the Steam Deck can also run Windows.

This means that users will have access to the vast Steam library and other PC platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG, and Origin, further expanding their gaming options.

The device supports both docked and handheld modes. In handheld mode, players can use the built-in display and controls to enjoy games on the go. However, if they wish to play on a larger screen or utilize external peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, they can connect the Steam Deck to a TV or monitor via a USB-C dock, similar to the Nintendo Switch.

Regarding connectivity, the Steam Deck offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, allowing players to connect to the internet for online gaming, game updates, and social interactions.

It also includes a USB-C port for charging, data transfer, and connecting external devices. Moreover, the device has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a built-in microphone, enabling players to communicate with others while gaming.

Since its announcement, the Steam Deck has garnered significant attention and interest from gamers. It offers the convenience of a portable gaming device while delivering a PC gaming experience with access to a vast library of titles.

Its powerful hardware, versatile controls, and compatibility with multiple gaming platforms make it an appealing option for gamers who want to take their gaming on the go without compromising performance or game selection.

Why is Ukraine using the Steam Deck in its army?

The Steam Deck, known for its remarkable power and versatility, has unexpectedly found a new application in the Ukrainian military: controlling remote gun turrets.

Initially, the photos of a Steam Deck used as a turret controller seemed dubious, lacking evidence that it was genuinely integrated into the weapon system rather than used for unrelated purposes. However, recent video footage from the same event confirmed using a Steam Deck to control the turret.

The purpose of remotely-controlled turrets is clear: to provide firepower on the front lines without endangering personnel. The auto-translated closed captioning in a YouTube video explicitly states that it allows for support without becoming a primary target and drawing enemy fire. But why would the military opt for a Steam Deck as the controller?

According to Aric Toler, a researcher at Bellingcat who contributed to uncovering leaked military documents on Discord, using the Steam Deck in this context makes sense. Toler highlighted the advantages of the Steam Deck, such as its native OS client, excellent controller, and touchscreen functionality.

He also mentioned the importance of Linux compatibility, as long as the software supports it, rather than resorting to the complicated process of dual-booting Windows on the device.

Using Steam Decks for turret control also has practical benefits. While the base model of the Steam Deck is priced at $399, Toler pointed out that control modules for such systems can be exorbitantly expensive and subject to export controls, making them difficult for non-aligned nations to acquire.

In contrast, Steam Deck availability depends on Valve’s manufacturing capacity, and since it’s an all-in-one solution rather than a separate controller, it presents fewer logistical challenges. The turrets, known as Shablya (Ukrainian for “saber”), were developed by the Ukrainian company Global Dynamics several years ago.

They incorporate thermal imaging and a range finder and can accommodate various weapons, including machine guns and grenade launchers. In 2015, a crowdfunding campaign raised funds to supply and maintain ten Shablya turrets for the Ukrainian military.

Recent reports from the Ukrainian website Vikna. tv reveal that a batch of Shablya turrets was deployed with Ukraine’s 68th Jaeger Brigade. The brigade itself shared a video on Facebook showcasing the turret in action. Interestingly, none of the Ukrainian sources that published or shared the images mentioned the presence of a Steam Deck.

People who recognized the device in the videos brought attention to this unexpected use. Toler speculated that the Ukrainian forces likely perceived the Steam Deck as a standard control set and thus didn’t make a significant fuss about it.

The adaptation of the Steam Deck as a controller for remote gun turrets demonstrates the device’s flexibility and adaptability. Its powerful hardware, native OS, and user-friendly interface make it suitable for various applications beyond traditional gaming.

While it may not have been an anticipated use case during Valve’s design meetings, the Steam Deck’s integration into military systems showcases its potential in non-conventional scenarios.

Final Words & Takeaways

Unexpectedly, the Ukrainian military has found a unique application for the Steam Deck by using it to control remote gun turrets.

This innovative use allows for the deployment of firepower on the front lines without putting personnel at risk.

Steam Deck’s native OS, excellent controller, touchscreen functionality, and Linux compatibility have made it a suitable choice.

Using the Steam Deck for turret control offers practical benefits, including cost-effectiveness and accessibility.

The Steam Deck provides a more affordable and readily available solution than expensive and export-controlled control modules.

Its integration into the Ukrainian military’s arsenal demonstrates the device’s adaptability beyond gaming and highlights its potential in non-conventional scenarios.

While the Steam Deck’s integration into military systems may not have been anticipated during its initial design, it is a testament to its flexibility, adaptability, and powerful performance.

As the Steam Deck continues to gain popularity among gamers, its applications in various fields may expand, further showcasing its versatility and potential.

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I will continue to share my thoughts and insights on a wide range of topics in the world of entertainment and technology.

With that being said, thank you for reading my post, and have a good one.

Here are a few of my previous stories relating to the Steam Deck:

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