Chapter V 



TECHNOLOGY FOR UNDERSEA 

 OPERATIONS 



The rapidly developing ability to observe the ocean and its life 

 from the surface, the atmosphere, and space is being matched by 

 important advances in man's ability to observe the undersea world 

 from within. No instrument or automated system can match the 

 performance of a trained human observer, and it is natural that, as 

 the Federal Ocean Program matured technologically, a strong effort 

 would begin to extend man's ability to explore, inhabit, and work in 

 the difficult underwater environment. The thrust of the projects 

 conducted toward these ends has been to provide materiel and tools 

 that can get men safely into the sea, sustain them there, and remove 

 them safely, armed with the instruments they need to achieve their 

 undersea objectives. The transfer of technology in these areas from 

 military to civil efforts has been quite effective, and today the Navy, 

 NOAA, other Federal and academic institutions, and industry share 

 an active research and development program in this area. 



New Materials and Equipment 



Before man can extend his time and depth limits in the sea, he must 

 design improved materials and equipment that can function 

 successfully and safely under the new stresses to which they will be 

 subjected. The development and use of such materials is one of the 

 objectives of the Navy's ocean engineering program. This program, 

 in addition to satisfying Navy requirements, is perhaps the major 

 source of technical development for civil ocean requirements. 



One Navy project to advance the depth limit of undersea 

 exploration was the construction of a titanium-alloy hull for 

 installation on the deep submersible, Alvin. Not only will this 

 material double AJvin's working depth to 12,000 feet, but it will also 

 reduce its weight and increase the payload carried by the vehicle. In 

 March 1972, the Naval Ship Research and Development Center, 



Artist's conception of Navy-sponsored catamaran Lulu serving as support ship 

 for the under sea habitat EDALHAB in 1972 Florida Aquanaut Research Ex- 

 pedition (FLARE). 



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