With only two operational icebreakers, and one of those near the end of its lifespan, the U.S. National Science Foundation has developed contingency plans to ensure access to the polar regions for science. However, the U.S. government may need to acquire new icebreakers if the nation requires access for other purposes in addition to science, such as commerce and national security, according to a recent report from a committee of the U.S. National Research Council (NRC).