13. LONG-ENDURANCE EXPLORATION SUBMERSIBLES WITH 20,000-FOOT CAPABILITY 
Effective utilization and management of the deep ocean must be based on thorough knowledge of the 
environment. The 20,000-foot depth capability provides access to 98 per cent of the total ocean bottom 
area. Many military, scientific, and industrial programs could benefit from an ability to do useful work 
for long periods in the deep ocean. 
There is no substitute for human involvement in a remote environment. A long endurance capability 
must be developed to operate effectively at great ocean depths. 
Since the commercial value of the deep ocean areas is as yet undefined, the U.S. Government should 
assume responsibility for the initial development of these submersibles. Technology created in this pro- 
gram will have far reaching benefits not only in submersible technology but also in almost all other areas 
of undersea exploration and usage. 
Based on experience and expertise developed to date, the Long-Endurance Exploration Submersible 
can be started immediately. The utilization of this submersible will benefit many ocean programs and 
will be especially important to support subsea laboratories and stations. 
NATIONAL PROJECT 
13. Long-Endurance Exploration Submersibles 
with 20,000-Foot Capability 
Fundamental Technology Subsystem and Component Development 
Power sources and machinery Deep ocean resource surveys 
Materials Acoustic propagation 
Test facilities ‘ Marine life surveys 
Navigation and positioning Equipmer and instrument evaluation 
Vehicle tools Navigational refcPentits 
Communications 
Underwater viewing 
Environmental considerations 
Buoyancy materials 
Expected Benefits Operational Systems 
Political Deep ocean station (depth to 20,000 feet) 
Improved knowledge and confidence for international 
negotiations on legal status of deep ocean basins — Military missions 
Scientific 
Sea — Long term scientific investigations 
Short term (few days) in situ measurements g : 
Military — Submarine traffic control 
Improved understanding of tactical.advantages of 
truly three-dimensional naval operations 
Economic 
Improved technology available for a variety of 
yet-to-be-determined tasks 
VI-248 
