sea bottom might be accomplished in much less 
time than now thought necessary. Support of a 
technology base for low-cost, reliable systems 
development could hasten the exploitation of the 
natural resources in the undersea frontier. 
—Technology plateau. Much has been expressed in 
the popular press about a technological plateau. 
To the contrary, the panel agrees with the remarks 
by Dr. John S. Foster, Director of Defense Re- 
search and Engineering, before Congressional hear- 
ings in early 1968: 
There is no technological plateau now nor is one 
about to be created. We are convinced that 
research and exploratory development effort re- 
quires increased support during the next few years 
to ensure many options—a margin of safety— 
against any technological challenge. 
Dr. Foster also warned against relying too heavily 
on technical forecasting instead of sound research 
and exploratory development. He noted that those 
predicting the future of science have usually been 
far too conservative. 
In the sections of Chapter 5 which follow, an 
assessment of the current situation and some ideas 
on future marine technology needs are presented. 
Recommendations are made at the end of each 
subdivision. In most cases, the recommendations 
are those the panel would like undertaken in the 
near future. Longer-term recommendations reflect 
judgments on potentially rewarding advanced tech- 
nology not necessarily required for today’s 
operations. 
The potentials discussed throughout this report 
are critically dependent on the discoveries and 
knowhow generated by ocean science and technol- 
ogy. A substantial investment to extend and 
consolidate this fundamental knowledge promises 
handsome rewards in terms of sufficient resources, 
enhanced economic vigor, improved strategic posi- 
tion, a better way of life, and a stronger national 
defense. All this is the promise—the threat is that 
it will be underestimated or overlooked. 
|. Fundamental Technology 
Step one in the capability development cycle 
for marine technology is base-building to establish 
the knowledge and means to explore and utilize 
the undersea frontier and improve the U.S. world 
competitive position. A solid program to advance 
fundamental technology is needed for developing 
elements and processes that can be combined into 
useful ocean components, subsystems, and sys- 
tems. 
While an excellent base already exists—so much 
so that the panel is convinced that the United 
States can achieve the goals set forth in this 
report—many categories require further develop- 
ment, a lesser number require extensive effort, and 
others require little advancement. This section 
concentrates on the most critical fundamental 
technology needs, to which the panel has assigned 
the following order of priority: 
—Survey equipment and instrumentation. The 
Nation’s most urgent needs in undersea develop- 
ment are for knowledge of the ocean’s living and 
non-living resources and the technology to de- 
termine quickly and efficiently their potential. 
What is generally available must be known before 
it is utilized, ignored, wasted, or deeded away. 
—Power sources. No single power source will meet 
all the power level and endurance requirements of 
undersea tasks. A variety of power sources is 
needed. 
—External machinery systems and equipment. 
Undersea technology will be abundantly rewarded 
by developing systems that can operate in the 
environment without the need for encapsulation. 
—Materials. Materials advancement can lead to 
large undersea payloads and more reliable ocean 
subsystems and components. 
—Navigation and communications. These are prime 
requisites to safe and successful operations on and 
in the oceans. 
—Tools. Improved diver and vehicle tools are 
required to do useful work in the oceans. 
—Mooring systems, buoys, and surface support 
platforms. Surface support is used for many 
undersea activities. Stable surface platforms and 
reliable long-life buoys must be developed. 
—Biomedicine and diving equipment. Man can 
operate in the sea safely and efficiently only if 
supported by a biomedical program determining 
