effectiveness of carrying weapons external to 
submarines. In addition, many technological ef- 
forts discussed in this section on undersea systems 
and in earlier sections on fundamental technology 
will directly benefit deeper operating military 
systems. 
Considered from a different perspective, tech- 
nology developed by 1975 might permit construc- 
tion of a combatant submarine by 1980 (very 
possibly of radically different design) capable of 
operating at 4,000 to 8,000 foot depths. Materials, 
welding techniques, penetrations, controls and 
displays, and other advanced technology being 
developed for the Navy’s DSRV, DSSV, and 
Nuclear Research Vehicle (NR-1) should be con- 
sidered for incorporation. The construction of 
some submersible military systems capable of 
20,000-foot operations should be considered. 
Coupled with an extensive research and develop- 
ment program, such systems might provide future 
operational flexibility and an understanding of the 
tactical value of depth. 
5. Conclusions 
Small submersibles capable of descending well 
beyond 2,000-foot depths already exist. As fixed, 
portable, and mobile habitats are established in 
deeper waters, improved submersibles will be 
required for site selection and elementary con- 
struction. Underwater transfer by high payload 
vehicles will be a key to deep ocean use. A useful 
challenge is foreseen in providing 20,000-foot, 
long-endurance exploration submersibles to help 
explore and assess the deep ocean within 10 years; 
20,000-foot work vehicles will follow on a sched- 
ule dictated by needs rather than technology. 
Survey and work submersible prototypes will 
evolve from current vehicle technology and will be 
adapted to meet concurrent needs for rescue, 
salvage, research, and transport assignments. 
In addition, a variety of tethered devices like 
sea elevators, instrument platforms, remote work 
platforms, observation platforms, and bottom 
crawlers will be needed for such operations as 
bulldozing and mineral recovery. They could be 
available well within 10 years for 2,000-foot 
operations and later as needed for servicing under- 
sea habitats at 20,000 feet. 
Deep submersible systems may have overlooked 
some special possibilities. Current designs incor- 
porate a maximum number of subsystems in spite 
of the premium of space and weight on the 
vehicle. Some subsystems like navigation, record- 
ing, readout, display, and monitoring might be 
located aboard the support vessel. Support vessels 
should be designed and procured as an integral 
part of the submersible system. 
In open ocean areas, especially in ice and severe 
weather regions, submersible support submarines 
will be needed. They will have the special advan- 
tages of all weather availability and covertness. 
With the advent of the Albacore hull, HY-80 
steel, submerged missile launching, and nuclear 
propulsion in the 1950's, great advancements were 
made in naval seapower. In recent years the 
promise indicated by the Aluminaut, the Trieste, 
the VR-/, titanium, glass, ceramics, HY-180 steel, 
syntactic foam, fuel cells, free flooded machinery, 
and advanced sensors and controls suggest yet a 
new era in naval seapower. 
Recommendations: 
Development and construction of exploration sub- 
mersibles should begin immediately with a goal of 
operations to 20,000 feet in less than 10 years for 
prime assignments in the forthcoming decade of 
exploration of earth’s last frontier. These vehicles 
should have maneuvering agility, sample-taking 
and small object recovery capabilities, and im- 
proved sensors. A National Project for an Explora- 
tion Submersible with 20,000-foot capability will 
directly contribute to these developments. The 
Navy-planned 20,000-foot DSSV should be pro- 
duced with high priority because of its potential 
benefits to other national goals. 
Work vehicles with high payloads should be 
produced as the next priority. Although to serve 
undersea installations, they should be developed 
for adaptation by such commercial interests as 
fishing, petroleum, and mining. Tethered work 
vehicles of the sea elevator variety also should be 
pursued for the transport of men and materials 
from surface or submerged support platforms, 
bottom sites, and structures. 
Unmanned instrument platform and remote 
operating probe technology should continue to be 
developed. Cableless control should receive atten- 
tion so that unmanned systems are not automa- 
tically ruled out by cable considerations. 
VI-91 
