Researchers from MIT Lincoln Laboratory have uncovered new insights into the natural and human-generated sounds beneath Arctic sea ice while testing innovative through-ice communication technology. Their work, conducted during U.S. Navy-led Operation Ice Camp exercises, was published following experiments carried out in 2024 and 2026, revealing the complex acoustic environment and advancing remote Arctic monitoring capabilities.
What Happened
During the U.S. Navy’s Operation Ice Camp (OIC) in 2024, MIT Lincoln Laboratory scientists integrated commercial off-the-shelf sensors, including geophones, to capture under-ice vibrations such as cracking sea ice and marine mammal vocalizations. In March 2026, they returned with a higher-fidelity geophone to further characterize these acoustic signals. Concurrently, the team tested a magnetic field-based modem from Norwegian startup Havguard to transmit data through sea ice, a method designed to overcome challenges posed by seawater attenuation of radio frequencies. This trial was conducted under both drifting Arctic sea ice and the landfast ice of Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Alaska, where they drilled through 3.6 feet of ice and deployed a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with the modem and sensors.
Key Facts
The research was conducted by the Advanced Undersea Systems and Technology Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, with fieldwork supported by the Navy’s Arctic Submarine Laboratory and UIC Science in Utqiaġvik. The geophones detected sound profiles including beluga whale calls and ice fracturing events. The through-ice communication system achieved approximately 1.2 kilobytes per second data transmission on an alpha prototype, despite extreme Arctic conditions that included sustained temperatures of minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit and blizzard-induced whiteouts. The sensors and modem were tested both on drifting ice during OIC and on stable landfast ice using a ROV under a drilled ice hole. Data from aerial drone imaging and Doppler velocity loggers allowed precise tracking of the ROV and verification of communication rates. The scientific outcomes will be published in relevant defense R&D reports and are rooted in collaborations with University of Maryland and other Arctic research partners.
What This Means
This research expands understanding of the Arctic’s dynamic under-ice soundscape, a critical development given climate-driven ice loss and increasing maritime activity in the region. By characterizing distinct acoustic signatures of fracturing ice and marine mammals, scientists gain a new tool for monitoring environmental changes and tracking wildlife remotely. The successful demonstration of through-ice communication using magnetic induction lays groundwork for reliable data transmission in harsh, inaccessible Arctic environments without heavy human presence. Such technology could transform how Arctic operations—military, commercial, or environmental—are conducted by enabling real-time sensor networks that withstand extreme weather and ice movement. Ultimately, this research supports U.S. strategic interests in the Arctic by improving observational infrastructure critical to navigation, security, and ecosystem management.
Background
Operation Ice Camp, held biennially, offers a rare platform for researchers to deploy and test prototypes in one of the harshest environments on Earth, facilitating advances aligned with Department of Defense priorities to secure and understand the Arctic. Earlier data sets from 2024 revealed marine mammal vocalizations and icequake sounds but also highlighted the challenge of distinguishing overlapping acoustic sources beneath sea ice. Prior to Arctic deployment, the magnetic communication technology had been trialed in freshwater reservoirs in Vermont to refine system protocols.
What Remains Unclear
While researchers confirmed the feasibility of through-ice magnetic communication, full optimization of the modem’s packaging for practical Arctic deployment remains underway. The exact differentiation techniques between icequake events and marine mammal songs using machine learning are still under development. Additionally, the varying acoustic propagation behaviors through diverse ice types and thicknesses require further systematic study for predictive modeling.
What Comes Next
Looking ahead to OIC 2028, the laboratory team plans to design air-droppable sensor units and continue refining the magnetic communication system with Havguard. The objective is to enable longer-term, distributed, autonomous sensor arrays that minimize the need for human presence on the ice. Collaborations with external research groups will expand the use of machine learning to improve signal discrimination and predictive capacity. Engagement with Arctic communities will remain integral to deploying these technologies responsibly and effectively.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following sources:
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