EDF-2026-DA-ENERENV-AWC-STEP Ammunition waste collection and disposal unmanned platform

AWC-ORACLE (Omni-sensor Reconnaissance & Autonomous Clearance for the Environment) is a proposal for the EDF‑2026‑DA‑ENERENV‑AWC‑STEP call, with an indicative budget of EUR 10 million. It delivers a fully unmanned platform that addresses the complete ammunition waste lifecycle – from surface debris and buried UXOs to chemical residues – and prepares recovered materials for recycling.

The concept combines a fleet of complementary VTOL UAVs carrying a modular sensor pod (EO/IR, LiDAR, hyperspectral, magnetometer array, lightweight GPR) with a heavy‑duty UGV equipped with precision manipulators and verification sensors. A central, self‑learning AI fuses multi‑physics data to generate a probabilistic 4D hazard map (3D space + hazard type/confidence), then dynamically tasks both aerial and ground platforms.

At the heart of the system is the “Zero‑Finding” certification – the ability to reliably declare a surveyed area free of explosive and chemical threats. This transforms the solution from a capable demining tool into a vital socio‑economic enabler, allowing safe land release for civilian use. The project also incorporates circular economy principles: on‑site or near‑site recycling processes for composite materials and metals, turning waste streams into resources and reducing environmental burden.

The work plan is structured around six work packages.