The Lockheed Deep Quest submersible was designed and built as a mobile, deep ocean research and engineering test facility. The submersible combines excellent habitability with superior underwater performance, and has the capability to carry heavy, large volume payloads to depths down to 8000 ft.
Deep Quest has been utilized in the evaluation of a variety of underwater work systems and instrumentation, including dual manipulators, a large object salvage module, a 6-bbl coring system, an experimental vane shear device, a side-looking sonar, and an advanced doppler navigation system.
This paper describes design features which represent advancements in deep ocean technology and, on the basis of material problems experienced, indicates major areas requiring further developmental effort.