DUAL-USE OF A NUCLEAR POWERED RESEARCH SUBMERSIBLE - THE US-NAVY NR-1

The U.S. Navy NR-1 nuclear-powered research submersible has been in us e since 1969. The unique capabilities of NR-1 (e.g., the ability to im age the seafloor with videocameras, both film and electronic still cam eras, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiling, and the ability to allow observation by the human eye-all with the extended bottom time allowed by a nuclear submarine) make this vehicle of great benefit for both m ilitary and civilian applications. These capabilities are compared wit h similar sampling capabilities found on other submersibles. Examples of both military and civilian research applications are provided to il lustrate the sampling capability of the vessel.