Arctic Infrastructure Research Center (AIRC)

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AIRC Expeditionary Instructure - Featured Image

AIRC Waste and Wastewater - Featured Image

AIRC Power and Energy - Featured Image-2

What are AIRC and AIRG?
Established in 2020, the Arctic Infrastructure Research Center (AIRC) in Fairbanks, Alaska, provides a 134-acre full-scale testing and evaluation site for infrastructure innovation. Equipped with access roads, earthen pads, high-power electricity, fiber-optic internet, roadway and runway test embankments, and dedicated cold weather concrete testing sections, AIRC replicates real-world Arctic conditions with ice-rich permafrost.

Its location near Fort Wainwright, Eielson Air Force Base, Fort Greely, Fairbanks International Airport, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks enables collaboration, training, and high-visibility testing in both sub-Arctic and Arctic environments.

Supporting the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), the designated government advocate of the Arctic, the Arctic Infrastructure Research Group (AIRG) serves as a government-wide forum to identify Arctic infrastructure gaps, classify needs, and pursue technical solutions. Membership spans all branches of the military, with monthly engagements to advance infrastructure knowledge and capabilities.

Mission
The mission of AIRC and AIRG is to accelerate the development, evaluation, and integration of Arctic-capable infrastructure technologies that meet Army and government Arctic strategy objectives. The program:

• Provides a government-wide collaboration platform for identifying and solving infrastructure challenges in cold environments.
• Advances solutions in cold-resistant materials, flexible foundations, efficient power and energy systems, resilient pavements, and water/wastewater technologies.
• Conducts full-scale experimentation and research into Arctic-hardened infrastructure for expeditionary, semi-permanent, and permanent operations.