TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO DEEP APPLICATIONS 

 OF UNMANNED SYSTEMS 



INTRODUCTION 



In approaching the technical barriers to deep applications of un- 

 manned systems the problem will be discussed in terms of the most 

 successful and advanced unmanned systems - the CURV Systems devel- 

 oped by the Naval Undersea Research & Development Center, Pasadena 

 Laboratory (NUC) which have been successfully performing underwater 

 recovery and many other work tasks for over 5 years. 



The CURV systems provide a safe, reliable, and versatile 

 underwater work capability by extending man's eyes, ears, hands, 

 and feet to the ocean floor without placing him in the dangerous 

 underwater environment, thus providing a useful and necessary 

 complement to manned systems in ocean technology. 



CURV SYSTEMS 



Four CURV systems have been developed to date. CURV I, the sys- 

 tem that recovered the unarmed nuclear weapon off Palomares, Spain in 

 April 1966 from a depth of 2,850 feet, had a design depth of 2,000 feet. 

 It has since been retired. CURV II, an improved version of CURV I with 

 a design depth of 2,500 feet,is the operational NUC system at present. A 

 CURV III system for 7,000-foot depths is in the initial checkout stage at 

 NUC ranges. The last system is the NTS CURV for 2,500-foot depths 

 which was developed by NUC for the Naval Torpedo Station, Keyport, 

 Washington and is conducting ordnance recovery on their ranges. 



SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 



A CURV system consists of the vehicle, control cable, control van, 

 support and handling equipment, and the support vessel. A CURV vehicle 

 includes sensors, propulsion, controls, and actuators mounted on an open 

 frame for easy maintenance access. The sensors include active and pas- 

 sive sonar, television (TV) and lights, 35 mm still camera and strobe 

 lights, compass, altimeter, depthometer, and vehicle locator. The 



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