Arctic ocean research: progress and requirements

The last 20 years have seen renewed interest in research in the Arctic. This research has shown us that the Arctic Ocean is a vital part of the world ocean-climate system with a profound influence on the "conveyor belt" circulation of the ocean's deep waters. The formation of abundant and dynamic sea ice, low temperatures and high winds in the Arctic affect the entire Arctic system and makes travel, research and transportation in the region especially difficult, dangerous and expensive. These changes, a natural result of warming of the Arctic, increase not only the breadth of important basic research needed, but because of current trends, elevate the level of required research to include an emerging list of applied and engineering requirements. Observed changes in the Arctic are altering its role in the world - in areas of commerce, transportation, resource extraction and national security. Only a continued aggressive research program employing satellites, aircraft, ships and submersibles can keep our strategic position in the Arctic at the level necessary for our continued role as an Arctic nation.