A.
Problem:
The
imposing threat to military assets in riverine and inshore environments
from attack by trained surface and subsurface swimmers has been clearly
demonstrated during the course of hostilities in Southeast Asia.
This threat can be expected to continue in future limited wars throughout
the world. A number of swimmer countermeasures have been developed
which rely, for the most part, on the acoustic signatures created by swimmers
as a means of detection. A need exists to develop swimmer detection
systems which utilize visual or olfactory means in order to take advantage
of the entire spectrum of swimmer signatures. To meet this problem,
the Navy is exploring the feasibility of using trained military working
dogs as swimmer detection devices.
B.
Purpose:
The
objective of this study is to identify and discuss the personnel and training
implications inherent in introduction of the "AQUADOG" swimmer detection
system.
C.
Background:
In
September 1968, Naval Ship Research and Development Laboratory, Panama
City, Florida (NSRDL/PC) submitted a proposal to the East Coast Vietnam
Laboratory Assistance Program (VLAP) Coordinator that a project be conducted
to determine the effectiveness of utilizing military working dogs as underwater
swimmers detectors. Chief, Naval Research and Development Unit -
Vietnam (NRDU-V) concurred in the proposal and Project WATERDOG was established.
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