Nuclear-powered icebreaker
On 17 August 1977, NS "Arktika" ("Arctic") became the first surface ship ever to reach the North Pole. "Arktika" was withdrawn from service in 2008 after clocking up 175,000 hours of reactor operation time and covering more than 1 million nautical miles. Rather than be scrapped, there are calls for her to be converted to a museum ship, like her predecessor "Lenin".
Polar Security Cutter program
The Polar Security Cutter Program is the program to replace the United States Coast Guards aging fleet of icebreakers. The current fleet of large icebreakers consists of one operational heavy icebreaker, the USCGC "Polar Star", and one medium icebreaker, the USCGC "Healy". Both ships are planned to be replaced by 3 heavy and 3 medium icebreakers. The new fleet of icebreakers, will allow the USCG to perform missions in the Arctic such as defense operations and readiness, defending U.S. sovereignty and interests, national security activities and maritime safety, PWCS (Ports, waterways, and coastal security), research, search and rescue, and logistic support and vessel escort. The first icebreaker will be funded by the US Navy.