64 FRONTIERS IN OCEANIC RESEARCH 



(ft) The committee report recommends construction of a large number of 

 oeeanographic research ships and special underwater vehicles. What are the- 

 Navy's immediate plans in this regard V That is, what is budgeted for 1961 for 

 ships or new vehicles and facilities? 



A. (a) Yes, as we learn more about the characteristics of the oceans we find 

 that there are even more characteristics about which we know very little. We 

 should at least double our Nation's capacity to conduct research in oceanography 

 by substantially accelerating our efforts in an orderly program during the next 

 10 years. 



(ft) In the fiscal year 1960 budget the Navy made provisions for the construc- 

 tion of its first ship specifically designed for oeeanographic research. A second 

 ship of this type will be constructed in fiscal year 1961. 



The Reynolds Metals Co. is designing and constructing the Aluminaut, a 

 manned deep research vehicle. It is designed to operate to a depth of 15,000 feet 

 with safety and convenience and with sufficient range, mobility, and endurance to 

 satisfy even the most demanding requirements for an oeeanographic research 

 vehicle. The Navy will initially assist in designing and providing for this craft 

 its scientific instrumentation. The Office of Naval Research is considering a 

 proposal to lease the vehicle through the Woods Hole Oeeanographic Institution. 

 Another program for a manned maneuverable undersea research vehicle is funded 

 in fiscal year 1961. This craft will be used to investigate problems in oceanog- 

 raphy concerning deep undersea military applications and to assist in the de- 

 sign and feasibility tests of hull, control, propulsion and other components 

 directly applicable to undersea vehicles for research, submarines or for weapon 

 systems. 



There is no request for funds in the military construction appropriation for 

 oeeanographic facilities in fiscal year 1961. 



4. Q. Does the Navy have an oeeanographic research laboratory of its own? 

 Do you believe that such a laboratory should be established to enhance inhouse 

 capabilities? 



A. The Navy does not have an oeeanographic research laboratory, per se. of 

 its own. It is not believed that such a laboratory would enhance the Navy's 

 inhouse capabilities. Approximately three-fourths of the Navy's basic research 

 program is conducted by contract with universities and nonprofit institutions. 

 The remainder is conducted in Navy-operated laboratories, such as the Navy 

 Electronics Laboratory and the U.S. Navy Underwater Sound Laboratory. 



5. Q. What is the Navy's budget for oeeanographic research for 1961, divided 

 between basic and applied? How do the funds for basic research compare with 

 those of last year? What percentage of funds made available for oeeanographic 

 research have been left to the discretion of the research investigator? 



A. The Navy's budget for oeeanographic research for 1961 can be divided into 

 several categories. The research, development, test, and evaluation portion 

 amounts to $17,724,000. The applied military oeeanographic research necessary 

 to support instrumentation development and weapon systems will require 

 $9,940,000. Programs in closely related areas of study such as the Arctic, 

 bydrobiology, and coastal geography programs amount to $2,005,000, and overlap 

 the field of oceanography to some extent. The total sum of these categories is 

 $29,669,000. This does not include the cost of construction of research ships. 



Of the total $29,669,000 to be spent for oeeanographic research by the Navy 

 in fiscal year 1961, $9,379,000 or about 30 percent will be used for basic research. 

 This is an increase of about 20 percent over the funds expended for basic 

 research during fiscal year 1960. The remainder will be used for the various 

 applied research programs. 



All of the basic research funding (30 percent of the Navy's total oceanograhpic 

 research budget) is left to the discretion of the research investigator. The only 

 limitation placed on these funds is that the investigator must specify his re- 

 search program before the contract is written. Even in this case, he need only 

 consult with the Navy scientific officer and acquire concurrence if he discovers 

 promising new areas of research that lie wishes to pursue during the course 

 of his invest [gations. 



(5. Q. Do you feel that Oceanography offers the same potential in scientific 

 achievement as an element in international affairs as has outer space? If so. 

 how do you believe this program can best gain emphasis? What do you think 

 the Congress should do to underscore the importance of oceanography in terms 

 of our scientific capabilities and in terms of its relationship to international 

 affairs? 



