60 THE NAVY OCEAN ENGINEERING PROGRAM 



means such as catalytic burners, activated carbon, electrostatic precipita- 

 tors, and filters. Important elements of this problem include source control 

 by materials selection and development of nontoxic materials, and toxico- 

 logical studies to determine outgassing, dangers of submersible materials, 

 and allowable limits of atmospheric contaminants. Atmospheric monitor- 

 ing instruments and controls and systems for heating, cooling, and de- 

 humidification of the environment are also included. 



SENSORS, NAVIGATION, CONTROLS, 

 AND COMMUNICATIONS 



Navigation is essential to any vehicle operating in any medium. It is 

 particularly significant for undersea vehicles because of (a) the environ- 

 ment in which they operate, and (b) the complex operations required to 

 accompUsh their missions. 



Operations in the ocean depths are conducted essentially in total dark- 

 ness, with man-made Ughting capable of penetrating only a few feet if the 

 equipment can withstand the pressure, and if sufficient energy sources are 

 available. There are no stars or other visible landmarks on which to base 

 accurate navigation. Operations near the ocean floor, which are essential 

 for most ocean engineering missions, tend to stir up bottom sediment 

 which completely obscures what view is possible. Minute marine Ufe, 

 attracted by light, can also cloud viewports and camera lens. 



Coupled with these natural limitations are the complex operational 

 requirements associated with deep submergence and ocean engineering. 

 For example, effective search and survey missions require that a submers- 

 ible be able to return to a precise location on the ocean floor. Several of 

 the submersibles now being developed will be required to locate and then 

 mate with fleet submarines— both underway and on the sea floor. The 

 smaller submersible must come to rest directly atop the larger submarine's 

 hatch, an operation which calls for precise navigation and control. These 

 requirements have led to an entirely new system of submersible sensors, 

 navigation and control. 



Sensors and Navigation 



The early submersibles had basic sensors, and navigation and control 

 systems. The primary sensor was the human eye looking through a view- 

 port, possibly supplemented by a simple sonar system. Navigation was 



