Navy Research:

Status of Programs in Nonacoustic Antisubmarine Warfare Research

NSIAD-92-11, Oct 31, 1991

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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Navy's nonacoustic antisubwarfare (ASW) research programs, focusing on whether the: (1) Navy should be given control over all nonacoustic-ASW research; and (2) the current independent nonacoustic research program led by the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) should continue.

GAO found that: (1) the OSD program is focused on long-range basic research required to develop scientific parameters for understanding nonacoustic technology applications; (2) the Navy program consists of near-term applied research to develop nonacoustic devices that can be deployed more quickly; (3) supporters of continuing the OSD program in addition to Navy research believe that such nonacoustic initiatives such as radar research need new, innovative, long-term research approaches; (4) supporters of Navy-led nonacoustic-ASW research believe that the present approach of developing detection devices to be used in conjunction with acoustic tracking techniques in place or in development is more realistic; and (5) most experts agree that whatever office manages the program, the program will need some time to achieve a measure of stability and move forward.