20 



structure that are metal. If there is something there that will in- 

 terrupt or distort the electromagnetic field that the sensor is send- 

 ing out, it should be able to detect it, within a certain range. 



It cannot be very deep because the signal is not very strong. It 

 only goes down, I think it is around 20 to 30 meters maximum 

 depth. But if it is within that range and it has that characteristic 

 length scale of several meters, then the potential is there for sure 

 to be able to detect some kind of a structure like that. If it is an 

 object that does not distort the electromagnetic field, then it would 

 not detect it. 



Mr. HocHBRUECKNER. Then it is a spin off of the Magnetic Air- 

 borne Detection Capability System we have had for a long time. 



Dr. Hartwig. That is right. 



Mr. HocHBRUECKNER. Thank you very much. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Ortiz. Let me ask one question, and then I will refer to the 

 gentleman from Texas, Mr. Green. 



A recurring theme throughout the testimony is that of security 

 in terms of ocean models and data. I would like to know what are 

 the security concerns and why is certain data not released or re- 

 leased after a waiting period. 



Maybe there will be a need that maybe you all could not discuss 

 some issues or items that you would like to discuss because it is 

 classified. I would like to ask the entire panel to see if you can 

 answer that question. Maybe there is a need for this Subcommittee 

 to have a classified briefing. 



Mr. WiNOKUR. Mr. Chairman, I will attempt to answer that first, 

 and then my colleagues can join in as appropriate. We would be 

 pleased to provide you a classified briefing if you think it is appro- 

 priate. 



Most of the security issues we deal with oftentimes really repre- 

 sent security of the forces that are actually collecting the data. For 

 example, if data are being collected from operational ships for a 

 certain period of time, we have to protect where those ships are op- 

 erating and in particular the type of data they are collecting. 



After a certain period of days, such as 30 days, as I mentioned in 

 my testimony, we will release that data. So part of it is an oper- 

 ational security issue. 



With respect to some of the other kinds of data, acoustic data, for 

 example, there are particular sensitivities with respect to the appli- 

 cation of that data to anti-submarine warfare systems and the loca- 

 tion of the data because of the uniqueness. For example, if you 

 were collecting data in the Persian Gulf or someplace like that. 



So some of the data is, in fact, then tied directly to systems appli- 

 cations, anti-submarine warfare systems, strike warfare systems, 

 mine warfare systems, and other applications that really have to 

 do with the day-to-day operational security. 



Dr. Oswald. Oftentimes the issue is also the capability of that 

 system. So when you release the data, you want to make sure that 

 you do not tell our enemies the capability in terms of sensitivity 

 and finite. So part of the releasability is ensuring that we are not 

 revealing the ultimate capability of our system so that they have 

 can be circumvented. 



