WATERSIDE

Since the launch of the immediate action programme on unexploded munitions in the North and Baltic Seas in 2022/2023 and the increasing public attention since summer 2024, the topic of the munitions legacy from the two world wars has come into focus. An estimated 1.6 million tonnes of munitions from the two world wars still remains in the North Sea and Baltic Sea off the German coast. These remnants pose a growing threat to the environment, people and the economy.

Due to the corrosion of the shells, explosives are increasingly being released unhindered into the sea, where they can be absorbed by flora and fauna. This not only jeopardises the marine ecology, but also poses risks to human health. In addition, the contaminated sites threaten the safety of shipping, impair fishing and make the expansion and operation of offshore wind farms and other coastal uses more difficult.

WATERSIDE
Infographic

With the WATERSIDE project, DLR is making an important contribution to solving the problem of munitions waste. Technologies and concepts that were previously used primarily in space - for example on the ISS - are now to be tested and adapted underwater in order to make them usable for localising and recovering old munitions. Modern methods such as quantum sensor technology make it possible to detect munitions hidden even under layers of sediment several metres deep and thus reliably detect the dangerous remains.

The WATERSIDE project focuses on the following areas:

  1. Underwater sensor technology - detection and classification of old munitions:
    The aim is to precisely localise and identify dumped munitions. Novel sensor systems are used for this - including technologies from space operations and innovative quantum sensor technology. These can detect even the smallest magnetic and gravimetric anomalies and thus locate even deeply buried objects. The subsequent classification allows a clear distinction to be made between harmless objects and dangerous contaminated sites.

  2. Generation of an above-water situation picture - protection of neighbouring road users:
    During search and clearance operations, it is crucial to monitor ship traffic in the vicinity and recognise hazards at an early stage. A dynamic picture of the situation over water enables the identification of endangered areas and the initiation of suitable safety measures. This not only increases the safety of the surrounding area, but also ensures the protection of the teams and vehicles deployed.

  3. Recovery using teleoperated systems - precision in dangerous terrain:
    The actual recovery of the ammunition is carried out using a specially developed gripper arm. In order to control these systems safely and accurately, it is necessary to determine their exact position under water - a particular technical challenge, as GPS-based navigation cannot be used there.

  4. System integration - networking to form an overall system (system-of-systems):
    Individual technologies such as sensors, navigation systems and robotics are combined to form an integrated overall system. This system-of-systems architecture enables the coordinated, efficient and scalable use of components - from localisation to rescue.

  5. Safe provision of navigation warnings for road users:
    A new digital warning service is being developed for maritime users. This is based on the S-100 electronic chart standard, which makes it possible to provide relevant information - such as ongoing salvage operations - precisely and in real time both on board ships and on land.

The Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility is making a significant contribution to this: It develops methods and technologies for the safe and verifiable distribution of navigation warnings. With the help of the S-100 standard, nautical charts on board ships and on land are to become more digital, more accurate and more dynamic for traffic guidance. Research is also being carried out into how the distribution of these warnings can be secured in such a way that distribution by unauthorised parties is ruled out.

DLR addresses the current challenges in dealing with munitions contamination in the North and Baltic Seas using proven technologies and methods from the fields of transport, security, space and aviation. The aim is to support industry, science and authorities with innovative and sustainable solutions - from detection and identification to safe salvage and disposal.