PROGRAMS OF THE U. S. NAVY 



A recent compilation of naval activities in this area can 

 be found in the January 1969 report of the National Council 

 on Marine Resources and Engineering Development, Marine 

 Science Affairs — A Year of Broadened Participation. Military 

 marine science programs are primarily directed toward increas- 

 ing the Navy's ability to perform its functions in maintaining 

 the national security of this country. They concentrate on 

 strategic deterrence; anti-submarine operations; support of am- 

 phibious operation, mine warfare, and limited ground action; 

 surveillance of the oceans; and operations to maintain and pro- 

 tect essential shipping. 



In the course of these programs, much knowledge is gain- 

 ed which is made available in unclassified form for general use. 

 This contribution to scientific, public, and private interests con- 

 stitutes a large portion of the U. S. oceanography program. Dur- 

 ing this past year, a considerable amount of bathymetric data 

 which had been derived from both conventional and highly pre- 

 cise navigational positioning were declassified. Information 

 on the latest ship design and materials development has been 

 provided for use by private industry and Federal maritime 

 agencies, and many developments in navigation, ranging from 

 submerged vehicle to satellite detection, have been released for 

 scientific and commercial use. Information about the earth's 

 crust and about characteristics relevant to earthquake studies 

 and volcanology has been provided by D. 0. D. sponsoring pro- 

 grams. The work of civilian agencies is also used to help the 

 Navy which employs the nautical charts developed by ESSA and 

 the ESSA and Coast Guard surveys. 



The Naval Oceanographic Program is divided into three 

 programs which strive for a better understanding of the oceans 

 and the techniques required for their exploration. The Ocean 

 Science Program is concerned with the study of the physical, 

 chemical, biological, and geological characteristics of the oceans. 

 The Ocean Engineering and Development Program is respon- 

 sible for undersea search, rescue, salvage, and construction. 

 The Oceanographic Operations Program collects environment 

 data with a variety of specially designed devices. 



The Navy sponsors over one-half of the Federal marine 

 science program. About 27% of the total marine science bud- 

 get will be the $143 million which is proposed for the exclusively 

 marine science components of the military program in FY 1970. 

 Other Navy programs also help the national marine science pro- 

 gram by approximately that same amount. The proposed bud- 

 get is 12% higher than that for FY 1969 and reflects increased 

 support of fleet operations and priority developments in the 

 areas of military ocean engineering discussed below. 



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