Our first responsibility of course Is to our fighting 

 forces In Vietnam. But we must "be on guard lest we shirk 

 our responsibility for developing techniques and hardware 

 to be ready In case of need In other types of war In other 

 times and places. And oceanographlc research must go hand 

 -In-hand with, and In most cases precede, the development 

 of new naval weapons systems. Although we are all hopeful 

 of better relations with the Soviet Union we cannot ignore 

 the fact that the Soviets continue to pursue an aggressive 

 submarine building program. It is only reasonable to 

 assume that their construction rate for nuclear-powered 

 submarines will continue to Increase, and that conven- 

 tional submarines will eventually be phased out of their 

 fleet. 



We do know that the Soviets today have long-range, 

 first line submarines capable of operating anywhere in 

 the world and that this force includes ballistic missile 

 vessels. 



This means that our submarine and antisubmarine 

 warfare programs must be given continued emphasis. I 

 need not tell this audience that modern submarine and 

 antisubmarine warfare and oceanography are absolutely 

 Inseparable. We must know everything about the ocean 

 environment - and be able even to predict It In advance - 

 if we are to hold our own in this deadly game of hide and 

 seek. 



Sound propagation is still our only reliable means 

 for detecting enemy submarines and I am glad to be able 

 to report that since your last meeting - where the subject 

 came In for considerable discussion - we have strengthened 

 our research programs In this field. We are particularly 

 concerned with the effect that the so-called marine 

 scatterers have on long-range sound propagation. And we 

 are paying increasing attention to the critical Influence 

 of bottom topography and sediment structure on the newer 

 sonar systems. This line of study will be further 

 strengthened in the years ahead. 



I can also report dramatic results from the Navy- 

 developed satellite navigation system which is now fully 

 operational. Our ships at sea can now position themselves 

 with an accuracy that wouldn't have been believed a few 

 years ago. The military advantages of this are obvious 

 but it has wider uses and we are making the equipment to 

 utilize the system available both to the U. S. academic 

 community and to private Industry. 



IX 



