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Executive Summary 



Following the end of the Cold War, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) 

 began exploring use of defense technology by interests outside the miUtary . The 

 Office of Naval Research (ONR), including the Naval Research Laboratory and 

 ONR-supported scientists and engineers at various research centers (e.g., the 

 Naval Surface Warfare Center; the Naval Field Engineering System Center, for- 

 merly known as the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory) and in academia, is a 

 leader in oceanographic research and development of marine technologies. Tech- 

 nologies developed by ONR or through ONR funding may be useful to other 

 government agencies (federal, state, and local), private industries, and academic 

 scientists. The effective transfer of technology from DOD and its contractors to 

 the civilian sector (e.g., academia, industry) is important for maintaining a strong 

 national defense. Establishing closer links between ONR research and develop- 

 ment (R«feD) activities and nonmilitary users of marine technology may improve 

 the effectiveness of U.S. research dollars and stimulate economic growth. 



The Ocean Studies Board of the National Research Council was asked to 

 review ONR progiams, identify the needs of academia and the nonmilitary ma- 

 rine industry, and suggest ways to facilitate the transfer of naval research and 

 technology to nonmilitary users. ONR and ONR-sponsored scientists and engi- 

 neers conduct research and develop technology in a wide area (e.g., aeronautics, 

 space science, ballistics) with potential interest to an equally broad range of 

 nonmilitary industries and researchers. To provide a review that was both timely 

 and comprehensive, the committee focused its attention on ONR-supported ac- 

 tivities in ocean science and technology development. The committee studied the 

 potential uses of ONR-supported marine technology outside the Navy by examin- 



