700 Drill

 Per recommended technology investments in a previous version of the Long Range Science Plan, a mid-range drill (700 m) was desired for use in remote areas such as mountain glaciers in the Arctic. Science Requirements were completed in March 2018 for a drill originally referred to as the Foro 700 Drill, as the idea was to utilize the current sonde design of the Foro 400, Foro 1650 and the Foro 3000 drills. IDP subsequently completed a Conceptual Overview of the system, and a conceptual design review was held in August 2019 with members of the science community. IDP also completed an analysis of the quantity of drill fluid and ice core boxes needed. Following further consultation, the IDP Science Requirements were updated based on an even smaller-diameter core than that produced by the Foro Drills or the Eclipse Drills, in an effort to reduce the logistical burden related to the amounts of drilling fluid and core boxes required. The final IDP Science Requirements, finalized in January 2021, identified a core diameter of 70 mm, with the drill to be designed in a way that would allow for collection of 64 mm diameter core with only minor adaptation. IDP subsequently updated the Conceptual Overview for the drill, now referred to as the 700 Drill. Following further reviews by the science community and approval from NSF, IDP completed the Detailed Design and construction of the 700 Drill.

Current Status

The 700 Drill was used for a funded science project at Summit Station in summer 2024. Portions of the system were used with components from other drills during the 2025-2026 Antarctic field season at Allan Hills as proof-of-concept testing for wet shallow drilling. Repairs, maintenance, and upgrades are being made following those two deployments. An Operations and Maintenance Manual was completed and released in 2025.