The Growth of the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory

Résumé

Address to the closing session of the Dedication Symposium for the new laboratory, restating the Office of Naval Research policy re NARL, and noting current funding of just under $1-1/2 million, a ten-fold increase over the past decade. Specific contributions of the Lab to the Navy are cited: studies of ocean bottom topography, arctic radiation balance and its relation to engineering strength, and permafrost studies relative to rational engineering practices. A wide range of future programs dealing with mass and energy exchange between the Arctic and other oceans, various aspects of sea ice, under-ice acoustic propagation, environmental systems, atmospheric or terrestrial, pollution problems, and the protection of the tundra are suggested. Seven examples are given of current governmental action through councils, committees and commissions focusing on arctic programs.