Design problems include such things as conductor materials, strength 

 member materials, terminations and intended usage. The study indicated 

 that specification writing is an area which could be improved, especially 

 with regard to testing. This stems partially from the lack of knowledge 

 on the specifiers' part and partially from the lack of adequate test 

 procedures and facilities. 



Handling of cables is one of the most deficient areas and carries a 

 high urgency to improve techniques and hardware for proper handling and 

 deployment. The failures experienced have yet to be fully understood. 



Cost saving is ample justification for improving repair methods and 

 developing proper maintenance procedures. 



Areas of suggested electro-mechanical cable development are: 



1. Testing standardization 



2. Specification standardization 



3. Failure mechanisms analyses 



4. Standardize handling methods 



5. Corrosion 



6. Torque balancing 



7. Develop a better field splicing technology 



8. Use of synthetics as strength members 



9. High power transmission 



10. Terminations such as connectors 



Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. 

 MBL/WHOI 



D301 00M0E27 7 



