article_snippet.sent: But the 355-foot scientific platform is genuine and has been used by the US Office for Naval Research for more than 50 years.
article_snippet.sent: The RV FLIP is used to measure underwater acoustics as well as water temperature.
article_snippet.sent: The RV FLIP can be also used for oceanography, meteorology and marine mammal observation.
article_snippet.sent: The RV FLIP was launched in 1962 when The RV FLIP unique ability to measure sound underwater would have been vitally important for the development of submarines during the cold war.
article_snippet.sent: In recent years, The RV FLIP has been far more concerned with studying marine life far below the surface.
article_snippet.sent: In 2010, The RV FLIP was deployed to research wind and swell conditions to help improve weather models.
article_snippet.sent: the designers initially considered converting a submarine for this unusual mission but soon decided starting from scratch was better .
highlights_snippet.sent: The RV FLIP was commissioned in 1962 and can sit still in heavy seas with more than 300 feet beneath the waves .