As part of the Navy’s annual Ice Exercise (ICEX), the 362-foot long USS Hartford submarine surfaced through several feet of solid ice in the Arctic Circle.
This is a drone view from above of the sub breaking through the ice.
“Submarine operations as part of ICEX provide the necessary training to maintain a working knowledge of an extremely challenging region that is very different than any other ocean in the world,” Cmdr. Scott Luers, ice camp officer-in-tactical-command and deputy director of operations for Commander Submarine Forces, said in a statement to Military.com. “Navigating, communicating and maneuvering are all different in an arctic environment as there are surfaces both above and below a submarine.”
“ICEX 2016 is our continued commitment to the development of undersea warfare capabilities and tactics in all areas of the world,” echoed Rear Adm. Jeff Trussler, commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center. “Our superiority in delivering effects in and from the undersea domain to the operational commanders is dependent on the regular exercise and demonstration of these capabilities.”
The video below shows the sub surfacing: