SYSTEM LIFE AND RELIABILITY 
Preliminary studies on the system life and 
reliability of the TELME buoy system indicate 
that a 6 month life, unattended, can be ex- 
pected with a probability of 70% - 80% for 
completing the 6 month period satisfactorily. 
Components are off-the-shelf items with the 
exception of sensors. Total operating time 
of components are kept to 4 minimum by on-off 
utilization. Derated components can be used 
where weak links in the reliability chain 
exist. 
CONCLUSIONS 
More knowledge about the ocean environment 
is not only a pressing task before the mili- 
tary, but a necessary requirement for under- 
standing and exploiting the sea. Synoptic 
surveillance of large areas of ocean neces- 
sitates the use of long life remote buoys. 
The economics of collecting oceanographic 
data over these large ocean areas suggests 
the use of aircraft as data collecting sources. 
The airplane, with its speed, altitude, and 
range capability coupled with long life buoys 
is an approach that seems worthy of develop- 
ment. Chance Vought Corporation has studied 
the feasibility of providing a long life buoy 
system. The results of the study are favor- 
able and hardware development is a logical next 
step. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
The information presented in this paper 
resulted from the cooperative efforts of 
Mr. C. E. Lankford, Avionics Engineer, and 
Mr. R. A. Nelson, Electro Mechanical Engineer, 
both of Chance Vought Corporation. 
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