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Dr. Earle. Big B — billions. 



Mr. Weldon. Mr. Ortiz and I both sit on the Armed Services 

 Committee so we have joint friendship — ;— 



Mr. Ortiz. And we know that $16 million doesn't go far. 



Mr. Weldon. We sneeze and spend more in the military than 

 you have spent in the entire undersea program, and that is an un- 

 fortunate statement. But I think we both share an interest in 

 wanting to know how we can better help you, not just from our 

 leadership position on this subcommittee, but also through our 

 leadership on the Armed Services Committee. We also want to help 

 you access some of the existing military undersea technology. This 

 includes equipment, hardware, and access to some research capa- 

 bilities. I don't mean to speak for you, Mr. Chairman, but I know I 

 am ready to take that issue up. 



We are looking for the kinds of conversion of R & D that has 

 been gained through the military and, in turn, applying it in the 

 private sector. That is the big buzzword down here. There is a 

 golden opportunity this session of Congress if you are willing to 

 help us identify those areas. Even though we are on the Armed 

 Services Committee, to be very honest and frank with you, I am 

 not aware of the amount of money we have spent in this area and 

 would like to learn more about that. 



Perhaps you could help us access some of the funding that has 

 been provided through the military for materials and research labs 

 and make them available for the undersea research community 

 that you all represent. I would be very interested in working with 

 you on that as well. Would you like to respond to that. Dr. Earle? 



Dr. Earle. Yes. I am really pleased with the win-win potential 

 that is there, and there are signs already that this may be in the 

 process of happening with some of the developments that are now 

 becoming open to a wider community, that some of the acoustic in- 

 formation, for example, that has been tightly classified for good 

 reasons in the past may now become available for a wider use. 



A very modest example — I had a personal experience with when 

 I was Chief Scientist of NOAA, I had an opportunity to try out 

 some night-vision goggles that the Army has developed for use in 

 the Gulf War — well, for other applications as well, but as a result 

 of that introduction, it has been possible on a number of occasions 

 to essentially borrow those tools for observing dolphins at night, for 

 example, with insights gained that otherwise would simply be im- 

 possible. I also used them in the Shinkai 6500 looking at biolu- 

 minescence because they intensify the small amount of light that is 

 available at great depths through natural sources. Looking at 

 turtle behavior at night is another example. So much happens that 

 we are normally blind to that this extraordinary equipment makes 

 visible. 



That is a tiny fraction of the technology that is there, but it is 

 one personal example. If the door is opened even on a modest scale 

 there could be great gains. Perhaps more than just the technology — 

 perhaps some facilities as well — could be shared. 



Mr. Weldon. Before Dr. Fox responds, I appreciate your com- 

 ments, and again, I think, you should use us as a vehicle to go to 

 the military to access funding and equipment. You are the experts 

 and know where this work has been done and where the focus is 



