Arctic Day 2019

For hundreds of years the Arctic has been of incredible strategic importance, but in recent years, changes to the Arctic’s environmental, geopolitical, and operational landscape have continued at an increasingly rapid pace. Both a cause and an effect of these changes have been large investments in ice capable vessels and icebreakers. There are currently more than 100 icebreakers from more than 15 countries operating or under construction for operation in the Arctic and Antarctic. ASNE is therefore thrilled to announce a very timely Arctic Day 2019: a day to discuss naval engineering developments, operating challenges, and advancements in technology and innovation that directly support Preparing, Protecting and Defending the Arctic!
As the US Coast Guard/US Navy integrated program prepares to award the Design and Construction contract for the Polar Security Cutter (PSC), the US is taking concrete steps towards becoming Relevant, Ready and Responsive in the Arctic. The recent FY19 appropriations of $655 million towards the design and construction of the first of these critical, year round access, multi-mission, heavy icebreakers represents the first substantial investment towards a US heavy icebreaker in more than 40 years. The additional appropriation of $20 million towards the construction of a second PSC sends a strong signal to the US Naval Engineering community, and our global partners, that their systems engineering and design expertise will be needed for years to come.

The Arctic is one of the most dynamic environments in the world and it will require enormous national effort to Prepare to Protect and Defend it. This vast and harsh operating environment necessitates innovative approaches to overcoming the current lack of adequate C4ISR infrastructure. Adequate communication capabilities are desperately needed to support the year-round high-latitude access that the PCSs will provide.

The Arctic is a challenging multi-mission environment that demands collaboration across the US Government, and international cooperation to address mutually beneficial interests such as commerce, environmental stewardship, defense, natural resource management, safety and scientific study. Past ASNE Arctic Days have been true international events that have not only brought together the world’s best engineers and leaders, but have also increased the development of partnerships and relationships in both the private and public sectors.