4.9. BUOYS 
Several scientific problems discussed in section 6.3 require deep- 
ocean buoys. In addition enhancement of weather-prediction capa- 
bility will be in part based on observations from buoys. Thus, it is 
fortunate that buoy technology is developing rapidly. Buoys have 
been tethered and maintained in the deep sea for as long as 18 months. 
Buoy data can be tape recorded and telemetered on command from 
buoys to ship, to shore, and to satellite installations. The Panel be- 
lieves it should be technically possible by 1975 to mount a World 
Weather Watch using buoys as sensing stations. This will not be pos- 
sible, however, unless we soon begin to gather statistical experience 
with buoys. Too much effort has been expended, in the Panel’s opin- 
ion, on obtaining an advanced buoy technology in a single step rather 
than in a broader program. There are also too many proposals for 
federally sponsored, buoy-experimental programs. What is required 
is a well-planned, evolutionary buoy-development program aimed at 
an operational World Weather Watch beginning in the 1975-80 time 
period.” 
4.10. NEW LIGHTWEIGHT, COMPACT POWERPLANT 
At present American undersea vehicles possess only an “elevator” 
capability. Purists may object to this statement, but the recent 
Spanish coast search operations force this conclusion. A small sys- 
tem of limited mobility would require a powerplant producing 10-100 
kw. It seems reasonable that such a power system based on a fuel 
cell could be developed and be operational by 1975 if it were given 
sufficient priority by the Navy. For larger vehicles cruising at modest 
speeds (greater than 10 knots) for long times (weeks), however, it 
will be necessary to have reactor power sources in the 1-10 mw range. 
It is generally agreed that the present water reactor cannot be reduced 
in weight below 85 pounds per kilowatt where less than 50 pounds 
per kilowatt is required for the mission. No reactor technology which 
can meet this need is currently available, and in the Panel’s view no 
private group is likely to undertake such a development during the 
1965-80 time period. 
The Panel does not believe that serious consideration should be 
given to concepts such as deep-ocean airplanes in the next decade. 
It will stretch our technology to the limit to build a versatile mobile 
platform from which two or three men can perform useful work in 
deep oceans. 
>See app. II for a developmental program designed to use increasing buoy- 
system capacity to solve several scientific problems. 
26 
