Abstract: A handheld controller allows a human operator to control various aspects of a vehicle's operation. The operator's fingers are used to manipulate various devices (e.g., buttons, switches, joysticks, levers, triggers, trackballs and the like) disposed on the handheld controller to control aspects of the vehicle's operation associated with these devices. The handheld controller may provide control signals to the vehicle by a cable, or by a wireless connection. The handheld controller allows the operator to freely move about the vehicle's compartment or to move outside the compartment, while still being able to control the various aspects of vehicle operation. Furthermore, the handheld controller allows the operator to control the various aspects of vehicle operation from a location away from potentially hazardous surfaces within the compartment, which helps to prevent the operator from contacting these surfaces in the event that the vehicle is struck by an object (e.g., enemy artillery, another vehicle, etc.

Abstract: A reconfigurable control for a combat vehicle such as a tank, personnel carrier, or aircraft, is presented. The control includes a grip, a base and a seal. The grip has a lower surface and a chamber. The grip includes a first electrical connector and a key located within the chamber. The base has an upper surface and a shaft. The base includes a second electrical connector and a keyway. In an installed position, the shaft is located within the chamber such that the grip's lower surface and the base's upper surface are substantially coplanar, the first connector electrically engages the second connector, the key mechanically engages the keyway, and the seal facilitates a compression fit between the grip and the base for sealing the chamber such that at least one of contaminants are prevented from entering the chamber and noise vibration rattle is eliminated.