Marine Science Affairs 



— an unmanned, ocean-bottom geophysical station at a depth of 12,600 



feet. The station is located 80 miles off the coast of California 



and is linked by cable to the mainland. It is the first seismograph 



installation to provide continuous records from the ocean floor. 



In FY 1969, ARPA intends to complete the field testing of a 250-ton 



capacity, towed vehicle designed for the safe handling of large charges at 



sea. 



New Facilities 



The Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), in 

 the Bahamas, was commissioned in 1967 and will be completely operational 

 in 1970. The FLIP, a stable, acoustic platform which can extend 250 feet 

 below the surface, was modified to improve laboratory and living space. A 

 pressure vessel ten feet long and six feet in diameter for use at 5500 p.s.i. was 

 commissioned at the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory, and a new labora- 

 tory for research on structures was put in operation at the Ship Research 

 and Development Center at Carderock, Maryland. 



Facilities scheduled to become operational in FY 1969 include the Ocean 

 Engineering Facility at San Clemente Island, California, which provides an 

 ocean environment test range with wide capabilities for use by both govern- 

 ment and non-government engineers, and the deep ocean pressure testing 

 complex at the Navy Ship Research and Development Center, Annapolis, 

 Maryland. The FY 1969 program also includes funds for a deep ocean 

 engineering simulator at the Mine Defense Laboratory, Panama City, 

 Florida. 



Tlie Future 



Our Nation's goal is lasting peace, and we seek it by every means, includ- 

 ing a strong Navy. A strong Navy reduces the danger of armed conflict, links 

 us with our allies, deters potential adversaries, and strengthens our ability to 

 contain limited conflicts. Assured lifelines of seaborne traffic are essential to 

 the military and economic strength of the U.S. and our allies. We have no 

 monopoly, however, on naval forces or technology. Our present advantage 

 in nuclear propulsion and underwater technology is a key to maintaining 

 superiority in naval strength, by quality as much as by numbers. Technology 



