Objective A: Compile existing knowledge and management approaches
Key stakeholders are involved from the project start to learn about their knowledge and approaches, as well as their safety concerns and technical, regulatory or socio-political obstacles they currently face and their needs to overcome them. This is important because of the accelerating dynamics in the area of underwater munitions and the diversity of often poorly connected actors in that field. We will build on the combined experience and well-established networks of HELCOM and JPI Oceans as well as similar co-design and co-development projects the partners are/have been involved in. Our ambition is to clarify and update the state-of-the-art regarding management approaches across European countries and groups of key actors. This overview is needed to identify knowledge gaps that end-users might have, and to provide them with solutions and management options for dealing with marine munitions. This will allow MMinE-SwEEPER to target these knowledge gaps and develop sound management options and feasible remediation approaches that meet the end-users needs and deliver real results
Four sub-objectives are formulated:
A1. Compilation of country-specific management of marine munitions
Identification of who the relevant authorities are and what their respective roles and responsibilities entail. Furthermore, how they contribute to the current workflows of underwater munition management and how this is handled within national and international regulatory frameworks and collaborations.
A2. Compilation of stakeholder needs
Based on the experience with HELCOM, JPI Oceans and related projects, we will assess the contextual needs of key stakeholder groups in policy, security authorities, industry, and civil society. We will assess both their current and anticipated future needs via dialogs an
A3. Compilation of state-of-the-art and newly generated knowledge
Specific knowledge will be applied and used within the technological work packages WP3 to WP8. Each WP will have a dedicated task to compile the latest knowledge in their field and prepare documents that are suitable as a basis for updating the JPI Oceans Marine Munition Data-Portal 3 and for targeted outreach and capacity building activities (Objective D).
A4. Gather information from other national and international projects
A number of [national and international projects](https://mminesweeper-munition.eu/01_project/related-projects/) will run in parallel with the envisioned project phase of MMinE-SwEEPER. MMinE-SwEEPER will convene exchanges with them; several partners are actively involved in those projects.
Objective B: Advance robotic applications, 3D imaging and AI-supported data analyses
Different technologies and approaches have been used for decades in commercial and military-based munitions identification, and a solid base of technology and expertise already exists. However, with respect to acoustic sub-seafloor munitions detection, optical identification of munition, robotic applications with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), Smart-AUVs or cooperatively working robotic systems, civil applications lag behind existing possibilities and potential developments. To advance some of these technologies even further and make them more appealing to commercial entities, nine specific sub-objectives are formulated.
B1. Secure exchange of sensitive data and cloud-based analyses
Munitions related data are often handled by the military and are generally seen as sensitive data that need protection from misuse. For expanding AI methodologies for detection and classification of munition objects, the exchange of data is necessary. The objective is to test a demonstrator data platform based on the Marispace-X project and adjust the platform as defined by project partners and identified stakeholders. Our ambition is to establish a prototypical infrastructure for exchanging sensitive data and test related cloud-based AI-training and inference.
B2. AI-supported munitions detection and classification in acoustic seafloor data
Munition objects lying on the seafloor can be mapped by acoustic systems (MBES, SSS, SAS) and detected by semi-automated ‘labor-intense’ GIS-workflows. Suitable AI algorithms do exist which would speed up an objective pre-classification, but typically suffer from too little training data. Our ambition is to leverage ongoing initiatives of the partners to further develop AI-based approaches including the generation of training data (B1) and the training of respective models. Trained models will be used in autonomous vehicles for online adaptive missions and cooperative surveys (B5 & 6).
B3. 3D munition-object reconstructions from optical and acoustic data
Investigating munitions in underwater imagery is the ultimate identification step. Video and still images are common, and photogrammetric 3D reconstructions (ortho-mosaics and DEMs) have recently been introduced. Acoustic cameras used in murky water have not been applied for 3D reconstructions, although this would be highly valuable for munition identification. We will build on knowledge gained within ProBaNNt and other projects that used both technologies. Our ambition is to establish thoroughly tested guidelines and workflows for 3D reconstructions from optic and acoustic cameras that are applicable ‘on the fly’ in the field.
B4. AI-supported image-based object classification and identification
AUVs are not commonly autonomous but typically ‘only’ automated. Our objective is to make AUVs truly autonomous by implementing online image annotation into the AUV (B2 & B4) to allow for adaptive missions aiming at acquiring the best possible data for classification and identification. Our ambition is to have AUVs advanced with decision-making routines and show-case their applicability in artificial and real munitions dumping sites in the sea.
B5. Smart-AUVs through optic and acoustic sensing
Classification and identification are currently labor-intensive and rely exclusively on human assessment. AI-based object classification offers a solution to learn complex patterns. Suitable model architectures together with methodologies for labelling, data pre-processing and training are needed for optical and acoustic images as complimentary information. Our ambition is to find the most suitable AI-based processing pipeline for optic and acoustic image analyses and demonstrate that online classification on AUVs is possible (B5 & B6).
B6. Cooperative operation of several robotic vehicles
The possibility of cooperatively working AUVs and unmanned surface vehicle (USVs) would strongly enhance UXO survey efficiency. Such cooperative efforts are being developed for military purposes and are typically not available in the civil market. Our ambition is to perform cooperative surveys between AUV/AUV and AUVs/USV using different combinations of smart AUVs (B5) in artificial and real munition conditions in the sea, making the use of the next generation of mapping with autonomous robotic systems appealing and desirable for the civil commercial market.
B7. Grabbing System
Robotic manipulators are needed to grab and move munition in a semi-automated way for effective and safe clearance of munition dump sites. Parallel application of mission guidance systems for programmable maneuvering of a crawler will enable automated removal of a range of different munition objects (grenades, small bombs, mines). Our ambition is to test a manipulator-equipped semi-automated crawler for the first time under real conditions in the German Baltic Sea to demonstrate its usability and capability.
B8. Establishing the state of corrosion of munition
A good knowledge about the state of corrosion will guide the establishment of priority lists for remediation actions if environmental concerns of dumped munition are in the focus. Our ambition is that through repeated optical investigations (B3) and high frequency sonar-sensors a catalogue of corrosion states is initiated that can evolve over the years to serve a reference guide for the state of corrosion of marine munition.
B9. Faster and more precise chemical analyses of explosive compounds
Precise and fast chemical analyses of MCs and CWAs in water and sediment are needed to accompany remediation activities and to establish the environmental impact of munition. In-situ and ex-situ analytical systems developed in the ExPloTect and AMMOTRACe projects (GEOMAR) and at FHG-ICT, will be advanced. Our ambition is to further develop the Xplotector system for analysis of CWAs, and field-test the in-situ sensors of FHG-ICT for Smart-AUV survey applications (B5).
Objective C: Perform trials and use-case surveys around Europe
Sea trials and use-case surveys during research cruises are essential for testing new methodologies, equipment, workflows and training new people. Such trials develop in-depth cooperation between partner countries and integration of other stakeholders. Our ambition is to continue the good cooperation that already exists between some project partner countries, integrate the new partners in an ideal way and also seek partners from outside the project for cooperation. Studies done during tests and cruises have the ambition to go beyond the state-of-the-art for technological, management, security and environmental aspects. Specific objectives therefore are:
C1. Test new technologies under real conditions
Test new technologies under real conditions in dedicated artificial test sites (e.g. CMRE, Italy) and actual dump sites in Norway, Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Belgium during use-cases (Objective B).
C2. Learn about new munitions dump sites
Learn about new munitions dump sites, specifically find suitable study sites in the Mediterranean with French and Italian partners and make them a use-case during the time of the project.
C3. Increase the knowledge of the munition compound contamination in European waters
Increase the knowledge of the munition compound contamination in European waters through investigations as part of the use-cases, and by leveraging other activities of the partners and stakeholders outside the project to promote Europe-wide sampling of water and sediment for MCs and CWAs.
Objective D: Strengthen cooperation and capacity building
We specifically aim to compile existing knowledge, create new knowledge through technological advancements, disseminate the knowledge via outreach activities, and use it to build capacity beyond the project. Our ambition is to enable science-based collaboration between countries and across sectors, and foster public- private-partnerships to promote remediation of prioritized sites with the most suitable and cost-effective technological methods. To be able to do this, we will collect, organize and make available the relevant information and run training session with key end-users. Specific sub-objectives are:
D1. Establish a well-connected and diverse community of experts
Establish a well-connected and diverse community of experts that regularly exchanges knowledge and information and feeds consolidated knowledge into the JPI Oceans Knowledge-Hub ‘Munition in the Sea’ and Munition-Portal with the aim of providing access to the latest knowledge to other countries and stakeholders.
D2. Design and execute webinars and hands-on workshops
Design and execute webinars and hands-on workshops with different user groups outside the consortium to transfer knowledge and expertise to less advanced regions and communities.
D3. Compile training materials and datasets
Compile training materials and datasets that can be used by others for continued training outside the project.
D4. Use tests and cruises to train people for capacity building
Use tests and cruises to train people for capacity building and as feasibility/possibility show cases for stakeholders (Objective C)
D5. Strengthening the JPI Oceans Action ‘Munition in the Sea’
European Knowledge Hub of experts and establish the online Munition Portal and associated database as the preeminent source of information about marine munitions in Europe(One-Stop-Shop).
Objective E: Promote European collaboration, management strategies and solutions
Compiling knowledge and advancing technology will not be the only outcome of the project. Objective E aims to put the new knowledge into action by promoting the use of new technologies by UXO companies, advising authorities and decision makers, and demonstrating to them what is and what is not feasible. Our ambition is to foster and accelerate international collaboration and knowledge sharing. Conditions and risks of munition, different management options, and technological availablity will be considered in promoting environmentally sustainable and cost-effective remediation possibilities. Established networks will be consolidated and expanded through HELCOM and JPI Oceans ensuring impact beyond the lifetime of the project.
E1. Strengthen European cooperation on marine munition aspects
A successful MMinE-SwEEPER project will stimulate other countries to join project activities and become part of the Marine Munitions Knowledge Hub of JPI Ocean. Having a strong and complete group will help advising national governments and the EU Commission about necessary next steps for tackling the munition problem on a real European scale.
E2. Present and promote management strategies and solutions:
We will host and participate in meetings and workshops, and present and discuss management options and techniques to address the remediation needs with end-users and use this to better tailor solutions to current and future needs. This will enable us to generate a catalog of management options for various commonly encountered remediation situation and scenarios which can be provided for future situations and end-user needs as a decision-tree of established approaches and solutions from the MMinE-SwEEPER project.
