92 THE NAVY OCEANOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS PROGRAM 



Monterey, California. Computer programs are continually 

 reviewed and updated to incorporate successful advancements 

 from various R&D efforts. 



Environmental and sonar range prediction is now used effec- 

 tively by ASW commands; however, further improvements are 

 anticipated. Planned instrumentation for ships, aircraft, and 

 buoys will greatly enhance the quality and quantity of synoptic 

 oceanographic observations within the next few years. Develop- 

 ment of new and revised forecasting models will be accelerated 

 through the use of computers as more synoptic environmental data 

 become available. Investigations are now underway regarding 

 the effects and prediction of the environment on shallow-water 

 ASW. The biological false target problem is being evaluated 

 with the intention of developing a biological false target prediction 

 capability. 



Although ASWEPS is designed and used primarily for ASW 

 purposes, several side benefits are being derived from the program. 

 Through the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, for example, 

 fishermen are making use of ASWEPS predictions by fishing in 

 regions of optimum temperature conditions. Some fishery groups 

 have increased their catches four-fold through the use of the 

 environmental charts. 



Fleet Weather Centrals provide various additional types of 

 operational oceanographic support. These are: 



General Fleet Support, which include sea height forecasts, 

 high seas warnings (areas in excess of 12 feet), and sea 

 surface temperature patterns as well as Optimum Track 

 Ship Routing. 



Amphibious Operations Support, which includes wave and 

 swell forecasts, surf and littoral current forecasts. 



Anti-Submarine Warfare and Submarine Operations Support, 

 which includes sound velocity profile forecasts, temperature 

 vs depth profiles, mixed layer depth forecasts, and sonar 

 forecasts in ocean areas not covered by the ASWEPS 

 program. 



Mine Warfare Support, which includes wave, swell, and 

 current forecasts. 



