English

DTIC ADA393743: Assessing the Benefits and Costs of a Science Submarine

Sponsored by the Navy and civilian science agencies, the SCICEX (Scientific Ice Exercise) missions conducted between 1993 and 1999 used nuclear attack submarines as platforms for gathering scientific data. The importance of these data were magnified by the fact that he Arctic Ocean has been the subject of less scientific study than any of Earth's other oceans, even though it contains vital economic resources and is a critical factor in and potential harbinger of global climate change. The SCICEX cruises confirmed the unique capabilities of nuclear submarines as platforms for scientific research. Their ability to move quickly and easily beneath the ice caps in any weather and any season enables an extraordinary range of data-collection activities. Moreover, the U.S. Navy's long, successful history of conducting Arctic research from nuclear submarines has shown the feasibility of these submarines as scientific research platforms. However, the last SCICEX mission ended in November 2000, and the SSN 637- class submarines are now retiring from the Navy's active fleet. To preserve the possibility of using this unique research platform, it has been proposed that one of these vessels be co

Sign in with your free account to read, download EPUBs or listen.