Fraunhofer Test Site Addresses Threat From Underwater Ammunition
The Fraunhofer Institute has established "Digital Ocean Lab," a unique underwater test site in the Baltic Sea, to identify and assess the dangers posed by old ammunition on the seabed.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are working to improve methods for identifying and assessing the risks posed by World War-era ammunition lying on the seabed. To this end, a unique "Digital Ocean Lab" test site has been established near Rostock on the Baltic Sea coast.
An estimated 1.6 million tons of unexploded ordnance decay on the bottom of the Baltic and North Seas. These old mines and bombs pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, people, and infrastructure. Over time, the ammunition casings rust and become brittle, releasing toxic substances such as TNT and mustard gas.
To enhance detection, Fraunhofer researchers are developing and testing intelligent sensor systems. A key challenge is to rapidly survey larger areas and identify ammunition remnants, especially when their protective casings have already disintegrated.
The "Digital Ocean Lab" provides a realistic environment for testing various technologies. The site features diverse seabed conditions and is equipped with both dummy ordnance and real, defused explosives. Fraunhofer experts offer the necessary infrastructure and expertise for testing, enabling the efficient development and deployment of new sensors and underwater robotic systems.