The Work Systems Package - Remote Work Experience

The Work Systems Package (WSP), a 20,000 foot manipulative work system, has been undergoing operational testing at-sea and in the laboratory since 1976. It has been tested on the Navy's unmanned tethered vehicles, Cable Controlled Underwater Recovery Vehicle (CURV III), Remote Unmanned Work System (RUWS), and is presently undergoing testing on the Pontoon Implacement Vehicle (PIV). This paper will discuss not only the results of these tests but the difficulties encountered due to "Murphy's Law". It is hoped that this paper will provide the reader with a better understanding of the technological advancements obtained in the area of remote work from tethered vehicles and some of the more critical operational and design areas to be encountered.