Removing ammunition remnants from the sea

WATERSIDE

Explosive ordnance on the seabed
In Germany alone, there are probably 1.6 million tons of ammunition lying in the sea - like this torpedo head.
Image: 1/3, Credit:

© Jana Ulrich, Scientific Diving Center, Kiel University

Detection of warfare agents under water with the help of AI
Historical documents are automatically analysed for information on the location and extent of hazardous warfare agents using AI-supported text recognition by the software from the company north.io.
Image: 2/3, Credit:

north.io

Explosion under water
Blasting of old war ordnance: munitions can still be dangerous even after decades in the sea (Quelle: https://www.106rqw.ang.af.mil/News/Video/videoid/690138/dvpTag/detonations/ ; Video by Lt. Matthew Stroup).
Image: 3/3, Credit:

Public domain

Removing ammunition remnants from the sea

Over 1.6 million tonnes of toxic munitions from the two world wars remain in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. These pose a considerable safety risk to ships and people due to unexploded ordnance and present an immense environmental challenge.
The Waterside Impulse Project is concerned with identifying and removing explosive ordnance. The project focuses particularly on the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Research is being conducted into new sensor technologies for searching for and identifying explosive ordnance, as well as underwater technologies for sensor carriers. Additionally, the handling of explosive ordnance during recovery and defusing is being investigated.
At the same time, long-range sensors are used to monitor the entire sea area and generate a picture of the situation above the water. This is supplemented by service and data platforms. Participants will be able to authenticate and authorise each other cryptographically via these platforms. Contaminated sites are mapped and documented in detail so that this information can be made available to other interested parties via a GAIA-X-compatible data platform.

The project is set to run for three years, from January 2025 to December 2027

Contribution Institute for AI Safety and Security

Against the backdrop of a digitally networked economy, the exchange of data is becoming increasingly important. For data to be used effectively, suitable structures are needed to enable access to and protection of sensitive information. The Institute for AI Safety and Security is setting up a GAIA-X-compatible monitoring database to persist the information obtained in the context of Waterside.
Conforming to GAIA-X enables data to be made available to interested parties quickly and in a standardised manner. This also allows the data collected in the project to be used in a controlled and self-determined way.

Participating DLR institutes and facilities

Institute for AI Safety and Security

At the Institute for AI Safety & Security, we research and develop AI-related methods, processes, algorithms, technologies and execution and system environments. Our focus is on safe and standard-compliant AI, cyber security in open data and service ecosystems and AI, as well as autonomous mobility and logistics facilitation.

Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul

The DLR Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) advances aviation through excellent research and technology transfer.

Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics

The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics develops a wide array of robots to enable humans to interact more safely and efficiently with their surrounding environments.

Institute of Communications and Navigation

The Institute of Communications and Navigation develops and investigates new systems and methods for radio transmission and radiolocation.

Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial Sensing

The Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial Sensing with its main office in Hanover primarily focuses on research questions relating to the use of quantum technologies and quantum sensors, and develops quantum measurement techniques for innovative applications up to the realisation of prototype solutions.

Institute for the Protection of Maritime Infrastructures

The Institute focuses on the resilience of maritime infrastructures and maritime safety technologies. It pursues the social mission of protecting critical infrastructures to ensure economic prosperity and stability.

Institute of Space Research

The DLR-Institute of Space Research is a world-leading competence center for optical sensor systems and their application in planetary research, Earth observation and security.

Institute of Quantum Technologies

The aim of the Institute of Quantum Technologies in Ulm is to develop precision instruments for space applications based on quantum technologies and, in close cooperation with industry, to bring them to prototype maturity. It thus provides a bridge between fundamental research and industry.

Institute of Maritime Energy Systems

The DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems researches and develops innovative solutions for defossilisation, emission reduction and the increased use of renewable energies in the maritime sector.

contact

Dr. Michael Karl

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute for AI Safety and Security
Safety-Critical Data Infrastructures
Rathausallee 12, 53757 Sankt Augustin
Germany

Karoline Bischof

Consultant Public Relations
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute for AI Safety and Security
Business Development and Strategy
Rathausallee 12, 53757 Sankt Augustin
Germany