Researchers from MIT Lincoln Laboratory are conducting studies in the Arctic as part of the U.S. Navy's Operation Ice Camp (OIC), focusing on analyzing sounds beneath the ice and testing communication systems that can function through ice. During OIC 2026, the team deployed a more advanced geophone — a device that detects ground vibrations — to better understand how sound travels through sea ice and how to differentiate it from other sources. This work is part of a larger effort to monitor the Arctic’s changing soundscape, influenced by melting sea ice and growing maritime traffic in the region. The Fiscal Year 2027 Administration R&D Budget Priorities highlight the importance of research that improves the U.S. ability to observe and predict Arctic environmental changes. This supports national interests and helps Arctic communities adapt to the region's evolving conditions. Scientists like Ben Evans and David Whelihan are working to distribute low-cost sensors across the Arctic for ongoing monitoring. OIC, hosted by the Navy's Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL), offers a rare opportunity to test new equipment in the extreme and remote Arctic environment. This year's OIC faced significant challenges, including back-to-back blizzards that created whiteout conditions, temperatures as low as -25°F (-32°C), and winds reaching 25 to 30 mph (40 to 48 km/h). These harsh conditions delayed the deployment and retrieval of sensors, and flights to and from the camp were suspended for several days. The team had to make adjustments, with some members returning to the laboratory to address system failures caused by the extreme cold. David Whelihan tested a modem from a Norwegian defense technology startup called Havguard, which uses magnetic fields to communicate through ice. The device was deployed in a lagoon near Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Alaska, where the ice is stable and attached to the land. Using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with a Doppler velocity logger and sonar system, the team measured the modem’s performance. They successfully achieved through-ice communication at about 1.2 kilobytes per second, a promising result for future development. In addition to their technical work, the researchers engaged with the local community in Utqiaġvik, attending cultural events and educational programs. They discussed Arctic research with eighth-grade students and explored opportunities for collaboration with local experts. The team plans to continue refining air-droppable sensors and improving the modem's design to make it easier to deploy and retrieve data in the Arctic's challenging conditions.