Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory - History and Overview

History and Overview

The United States Submarine Service has a long and proud tradition of developing and operating with leading edge technologies. The Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory is a major contributor to integrating these technologies into submarine crew operations. Established in World War II to conduct mission critical studies in night vision, sonar sound discrimination, and personnel selection, NSMRL continues to serve the fleet by taking the lead in undersea human factors, Sensory analysis, and operational medicine.

NSMRL is at the forefront of operational undersea research and development, as it has been for over 50 years. Its achievements include:

• Sea Lab 1 habitat project
• Disabled Submarine Escape and Rescue project
• "Rig-for-red" viewing
• Development of the International Orange color (Air-Sea Rescue Red)
• Studies of hyperbaric nitrogen narcosis
• Development of saturation diving and decompression tables
• Performance based screening of color vision
• Personnel screening and assessment for enclosed environments
• Effects of atmospheric constituents on health and performance in enclosed environments
• Underwater acoustic signal discrimination and classification
• Bioeffects of underwater sound
• Search and rescue

NSMRL is located in Groton, Connecticut, near the juncture of the Thames River and Long Island Sound. Arrangements for system validation are conveniently made through Submarine School New London; sea trials with research products are coordinated through the Submarine Base New London and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, RI.