Posted on January 26, 2026
The Armée Suisse UXO challenge
The Swiss Army (Armée Suisse) launched a challenge to identify innovative, safe, and environmentally friendly methods for the recovery of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from Swiss lakes. The scale and complexity of the UXO problem in these lakes required a solution that would not only be effective and efficient, but also minimise environmental impact and ensure the highest safety standards for all involved.
First prize for our proposal
We are proud to announce that our UXO recovery proposal (patent pending), was awarded first prize in the Swiss initiative. Out of 214 submitted proposals, our concept was selected by a panel of experts from government, research, and universities for its technical innovation, safety, and environmental care.
Our patent pending solution for UXO recovery
Our winning concept, developed in collaboration with REASeuro, is a fully integrated system for the safe and environmentally responsible recovery of UXO. The core elements include:
- an air-filled ‘wet’ diving bell that creates a dry, controlled environment on the lakebed, preventing the spread of contaminated sediment
- the use of strong electromagnets attached to a ‘sword’ and a vibrating needle, enabling the retrieval of UXO from up to two metres deep in the sediment
- UXO are collected in specially designed containers and safely transported to the surface via a cassette system
- on the surface platform, the M4N-facility – a modular and automated system for the safe neutralisation and recycling of recovered munitions – fully robotises the process, ensuring all components are safely recycled.
Key advantages
- protect your team: operate in a completely dry, controlled environment with robotic handling of UXO, eliminating direct exposure and drastically reducing the risk of injury or accidents
- preserve marine life: advanced containment prevents contaminated sediments from spreading, safeguarding water quality and protecting aquatic ecosystems
- accelerate project timelines: a modular, fully automated system enables continuous 24/7 operation, clearing large areas quickly and without costly downtime
- turn waste into value: all recovered materials are recycled, and neutralised explosives are converted into energy – delivering sustainability and cost-efficiency in one solution
- proven technology integration: built on proven offshore and mining technologies, adapted for UXO clearance, ensuring reliability and minimising technical risk from day one.
Next steps
This achievement demonstrates the power of teamwork and innovation in addressing major environmental challenges. Building on this success, we look forward to further research, development, and the practical implementation of our solution in Swiss lakes and potentially other locations facing similar UXO challenges.
