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can be improved with ROV assistance. Consideration will also be given to 

 projected diving requirements over the next five years. 



Based on the prioritized needs and deficiencies developed from the preceeding 

 step, performance boundaries will be developed within which the operational 

 parameters of the vehicle will be defined. Such parameters will include, but 

 are not limited to, the following: 



Electrical power (for diver tooling) 



Speed 



Maneuverability 



Payload 



Viewing capability 



Lighting 



Position accuracies 



Emergency life support capacity 



Tool carrying arrangements 



An evaluation will also be conducted to define the characteristics of NOAA 

 diving platforms and vessels that will impinge upon various characteristics 

 of the diver assist vehicle, such as launch/retrieval capability (vehicle 

 weight), ship's power, station-keeping characteristics, open deck space, enclosed 

 space, navigational aids, etc. 



When the performance characteristics of the RODAV have been defined, comparison 

 of present and planned vehicle capabilities will be performed to identify 

 what areas of technology are in need of development to produce a NOAA mission- 

 oriented vehicle. It is possible that no individual vehicle can perform all 

 of the desired tasks and still remain within a size small enough that it does 

 not threaten the diver. Consequently, a trade-off analysis will be conducted 

 which considers, at minimum, cost of technology developments vs priority of 

 development vs impact on vehicle mass. 



Conceptual configurations of at least two of the most promising configurations 

 will be provided. A preliminary breakdown of costs to develop and deliver a 

 prototype system will be estimated based on 1979 rates and delivery schedules. 



5.4 ROV INSTRUMENTATION 



There are a variety of developmental programs being pursued by industrial 

 concerns regarding instrumentation and tooling for ROVs. Some of these programs 

 are aimed at development of simple devices such as grinders, cutters, brushes, 

 etc. , which can be deployed by a specific ROV. Others involve development 

 of more sophisticated technology, such as radiographic inspection equipment, 

 underwater jetting devices, etc. Details of these programs are not attainable 

 since the company does not wish to divulge a potential competitive edge. Two 

 instrumentation development programs for which details, to lesser or greater 

 degree, are available and being conducted by Chansiter Investment Ltd. and 

 NOAA's Office of Ocean Engineering. 



