How I Boarded a US NAVY NUCLEAR SUBMARINE in the Arctic (ICEX 2020) - Smarter Every Day 237

TL;DR

Smarter Every Day's Destin explores a US Navy military exercise in the Arctic, showcasing the important work of the Navy in protecting America's interests in the region.

Transcript

[WIND BLOWING] This is awesome! Hey, it's me Destin. Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. This video is unlike anything I've ever had the opportunity to do. It's incredible. What you just saw was filmed in March of 2020. That was me on a sled on my way to a US nuclear submarine that's just popped through the ice in the Arctic. By the end of this vid... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏃 The US Navy conducts military exercises in the Arctic to maintain operational readiness, engage with allies, and protect US interests and assets.
• 🥹 The Arctic region holds strategic importance, and the Navy plays a crucial role in ensuring maritime security and stability in the region.
• 🥶 The Navy relies on various scientific research and technologies to navigate, communicate, and study the ice in the Arctic.
• 🏃 The exercise involves coordination between different entities, including the Navy, academic institutions, and allied forces, to enhance capabilities and maintain undersea advantage in the Arctic region.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is ICEX 2020 and what is its purpose?

ICEX 2020 is a military exercise conducted by the US Navy in the Arctic to assess operational readiness, train with allies and partner nations, and increase capability to operate in the region. Its purpose is to ensure Arctic readiness and engagement.

Q: How does the US Navy navigate and communicate under the ice?

The US Navy uses acoustic navigation and communication systems to navigate and communicate in the Arctic. By combining acoustic communication with navigation, they achieve similar accuracy to GPS navigation under the ice.

Q: What are the main challenges faced by the Navy in the Arctic?

Some of the challenges faced by the Navy in the Arctic include the absence of GPS navigation, harsh weather conditions, shifting ice floes, and potential threats from adversaries. They need to ensure Arctic access, defend homeland and strategic resources, and maintain undersea advantage.

Q: How does the Navy monitor and study the ice in the Arctic?

The Navy collaborates with scientists and researchers to study the ice in the Arctic. They use radar systems, laser strain observing systems, and other instruments to measure changes in the ice, track ice movements, and assess its strength and fracture mechanics.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Destin documents his visit to the Arctic to observe a US Navy military exercise known as ICEX 2020, showcasing the Navy's operations and capabilities in the region.

• He highlights the strategic importance of the Arctic and the role the Navy plays in maintaining regional stability and protecting US assets.

• Destin meets various individuals involved in the exercise, including scientists studying the ice, and explores the technology and equipment used by the Navy in Arctic conditions.