Air-Transportable Submarine Pipeline (Development and Testing).

This report covers the development and testing of a tanker-off-loading, submarine pipeline which is part of a tanker-off-loading system intended for application in support of military operations. All parts of the major system, which includes a spread mooring, sub-bottom survey equipment, and installation equipment, are air transportable by C-130 cargo aircraft. The complete system can be installed within 72 hours after arrival at an undeveloped beach work site. The system will serve tankers up to the 25,000 dead weight ton (DWT) class. The tanker-off-loading, submarine pipeline is 6-inch-diameter, threaded-coupling pipe which is assembled on the beach with the aid of powered tongs; the pipeline is pulled into position across the ocean floor by a winch onshore pulling through a floating sheave anchored offshore. The pipeline can be installed in lengths up to 5000 feet from shore. The special air-transportable installation and construction equipment is considered to be part of the system and is covered by this report.