16 REPORT OF THE UNDERSEAS WARFARE ADVISORY PANEL 



The Secretary of the Navy, 



Department of the Navy, 



Washington, August 15, 1958. 

 Hon. Henry M. Jackson, 

 United States Senate, 



Washington, D. C. 

 My Dear Senator Jackson: Your letter of July 21, 1958, and the enclosed 

 copy of the report of the advisory panel to the Subcommittee on Military Applica- 

 tions of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy have been studied with interest. 

 The report should be of great help to us in orienting and further enlarging our 

 effort in undersea warfare. 



As you may know, certain of the matters covered by the panel are already under- 

 way. For example, the ASW research and development effort originally planned 

 for fiscal year 1959 was enlarged during the Department of Defense consideration 

 of the Navy budget. It was again enlarged by the addition of $48 millions, by a 

 requested amendment, after the budget went to the Congress. As another 

 example, we are now in process of altering three vessels to oceanographic research 

 ships as an immediate augmentation in this area and are embarked on an enlarged 

 program of extended oceanographic effort. If even more proves to be needed, 

 we are prepared to undertake it. 



The report of the panel has been turned over to the Chief of Naval Operations 

 for his analysis and use in connection with shaping the effort in undersea warfare. 

 Further information as to the Navy's progress in antisubmarine warfare will be 

 forwarded to you prior to the next session of the Congress. 



All of us in 'the Navy are keenly aware of this critical threat which we face in 

 the field of undersea warfare, both to our sea lines of communication and to the 

 continental United States. The problems involved embrace nearly every scien- 

 tific, technical and operational aspect of naval warfare. We have made consider- 

 able progress, but we are keenly aware that we must make a great deal more if 

 the threat is to be overcome. In this task the understanding and support of you 

 and your colleagues will continue to be an invaluable asset. 

 Thank you for making this report available to the Navy. 

 Sincerely, 



Thomas S. Gates. 



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