In March, the US Navy launched Operation Ice Camp Boarfish 2026 to practise its capabilities for operations in the Arctic environment and demonstrate new capabilities. Nuclear-powered attack submarines routinely - usually every two years - emerge through the ice cover of the polar ice cap at suitable locations. Once again this year, a three-week exercise scenario is to be designed around the surfacing of the „USS Delaware“ (SSN 791, Virginia class, 115 metres, 10,000 tonnes) and the „USS Santa Fe“ (SSN 763, Los Angeles class, 110 metres, 7,000 tonnes). These exercises have been taking place since the „USS Nautilus“ (SSN 571) carried out the first under-ice crossing in 1958 and the „USS Skate“ (SSN 578) emerged through the ice cover for the first time in 1959. They are named after the American submarine that dived under the polar ice cap for the first time in 1944 to test sonar equipment in this environment.