/Nexus - 0805 - New Times Magazine/pages/0031/image.png)
Page Content (OCR)
archives I discovered a Program Activity and Funding report, issued by the Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) as ENG FORM 0-4098 on 16 August 1967. It contains several entries that are germane to the instant discussion. Line Item 1, Task Number -01 states: Power Plant Construction The objective of this task is to develop new essential knowledge in the design, operation and maintenance of fixed and floating power plants which is peculiar to military requirements. Essential knowledge is required in hardened above- and below-surface plants, in precise, uninterrupted power, and in system reliability and maintainability... Engineer Studies and Investigations The objective of this task is to identify, analyze, and initi- ate research in areas of spe- 99. SS cialized military construction which are beyond the current state-of-the-art. This task will provide means for applying "Develop d the current state-of-the-art and anticipated developments in for hardenec the future. It will enable coor- facilities to dination of the construction research efforts of CERL and concept selec other DOD laboratories, gov- of undergr¢ ernment agencies, industry and educational institutions. power ate researcn In areas OT spe- uninterrupted power, and in cialized military construction system _ reliability and which are beyond the current maintainability... state-of-the-art. This task will . . provide means for applying "Develop design criteria The report hen discusses Task e current state-of-the-art ani -05-001:” anticipated developments in for hardened underground “me the future. Iwill enable coor. facilities to permit rapid Hardened Underground Power ination of the construction ' . ants research efforts of CERL and concept selection and design Develop design criteria for other DOD laboratories, gov- of underground defense hardened underground facili- ernment agencies, industry o ties to permit rapid concept and educational institutions. power systems. selection and design of under- ground defense power The report has several other interest- systems. ing entries. Task Number -02-005 says:”” And Task Number -05-004:° "Develop design criteria for hardened underground facilities to permit rapid concept selection and design of underground defense Hardened Underground Power Plants Develop design criteria for hardened underground facili- ties to permit rapid concept selection and design of under- ground defense power systems. power Advanced Heat-Sink Technology Develop design criteria for heat dissipation and storage in various underground geological formations as applicable to hardened underground facilities. Sealing Deep Underground Structures Explore economical epoxy coatings, concrete additives and other techniques for sealing walls from deep under- ground hydraulic pressure. Of course, if the construction were taking place beneath the sea This information dovetails very nicely with other US Army floor, the Army would want to seal the base against the unwel- information (presented earlier in my book) concerning the dissipa- come intrusion of the deep sea. The document contains more tion of excess heat that underground installations generate. This information that reveals the US Army's secret role underground. is a problem whether the subterranean facility is under a New Mexico desert, burrowed way down in the hard rock below the Antarctic ice sheet, deep beneath a sea mount in the mid-Atlantic Ridge or in the middle of the North American continent beneath the Midwestern cornfields. No matter where a deep under- ground base is located, it needs to get rid of excess heat. Finally, the document gets around to talking about under- water construction. Task Number -07 says:*' Underwater Construction (CERC Work - CERL Management) The objective of this task is to explore and develop ocean engineering tech- Z j Me nology to meet Army ! a = A A Military Construction Illustration 2. Artist's depiction of Rock-Site Concept. Here you can see an undersea installation inside a sea objectives. This task, mount, with locks for small submarines to come and go. A drilling derrick is on top of the mount, at upper involving original right. The long tubular array on top of the mount could serve as a long-wave radio transmitter (ELF) or as a mechanism for water desalination and/or oxygen generation. (Source: US Navy) exploratory develop- ments, studies and inves- Underwater Construction (CERC Work - CERL Management) The objective of this task is to explore and develop ocean engineering tech- nology to meet Army Military Construction objectives. This task, involving original exploratory develop- ments, studies and inves- 30 + NEXUS Task Number -05 says:* power systems." www.nexusmagazine.com AUGUST — SEPTEMBER 2001