armasuisse S+T annual reporting session on Research Programme 4 at DDPS; R2 ammo range ~120m, not standard ammo

armasuisse S+T annual reporting session on Research Programme 4 at DDPS; R2 ammo range ~120m, not standard ammo

Our mission is ‘Impact, Protection and Safety’ – A review of research programme 4

Communication Published on 13 August 2026

Our mission is ‘Impact, Protection and Safety’ – A review of research programme 4

On Tuesday 23 June 2026, the annual reporting session for the ‘Impact, Protection and Safety’ research programme run by armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) took place. Dr Ronny Lorenzo, along with guests and research partners from armasuisse, presented their current work and findings to staff within the DDPS. Anela Ziko and Moana Häfeli, Staff, armasuisse Science and Technology

The goal of the annual reporting events of armasuisse Science and Technology’s (S+T) research programmes is to grant interested internal employees at the DDPS a look behind the scenes of the research programmes. This framework not only offers broad insights into various different fields of work and ongoing projects, but also a useful opportunity for the open exchange of ideas. The event thus encourages the mutual exchange of knowledge and strengthens cooperation internally in the DDPS.

Dr Ronny Lorenzo, Head of Research Programme 4 ‘Impact, Protection and Safety’, opened the annual reporting event. He clearly and concisely explained the remit of his research programme to the approximately 40 guests: to ensure the performance, protection and safety of mobile objects and infrastructure. Simulations and computational models remain of central importance within the research programme, as blasting for testing purposes is complex and costly, and available time slots at test sites are becoming increasingly scarce. As armasuisse S+T has only limited resources in the field of numerical analysis, research projects carried out in collaboration with partners are indispensable. This allows expert knowledge to be built up in areas of key importance to the DDPS, emphasised Dr Ronny Lorenzo. In doing so, he highlighted the importance of collaboration between research and practice.

Research project on short-range ammunition

The first specialist presentation was given by Fernando Biaggi, Scientific Project Manager at the Weapon Test Centre, armasuisse S+T. His topic was reduced-range (R2) short-range projectiles. Short-range ammunition generally features a modified projectile tip, resulting in greater aerodynamic drag and a rapid loss of range. To this end, Fernando Biaggi presented ballistic test results recorded as part of a research project conducted between 2022 and 2025 in collaboration with the Ballistix Academy. The aim was to develop a new type of FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) bullet with a two-part soft core. As the in-house investigations confirm, the resonance of a rotating liquid generates a brief gyroscopic – that is, rotation-induced – instability. In the case of the projectile tested, this instability occurred at a firing range of approximately 120 metres. The maximum range is therefore reduced significantly. Consequently, the ammunition is primarily suitable for training purposes and specialised applications such as counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) defence; however, due to its behaviour when striking soft targets, it is not suitable as standard operational ammunition.

The Fate of Munitions Components in Swiss Lakes

Next, Dr Anne-Laure Gassner, scientific project manager in the Explosives Division at armasuisse S+T, and Chloé Udressy, a PhD student at Eawag, spoke about the project ‘Assessment of the Fate of Munitions Components from Military Activities in Switzerland’. They presented the project, its current status and the next steps to the audience. Between 1918 and 1964, military munitions were sunk in a number of Swiss lakes. The lakes most affected are Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and Lake Lucerne. Around 8,200 tonnes of military munitions lie there at depths of between 150 and 215 metres.

Since 2012, regular monitoring of lake sediments and lake water has been carried out. Since then, the lake water has been analysed every five years and the lake sediments every ten years. At present, the regular monitoring shows no impact on the environment. However, it cannot be entirely ruled out that pollutants may be released in the future. This research project aims to expand our understanding by investigating the distribution, transport and degradation of organic micropollutants from munitions in Swiss lakes. To this end, new analytical methods will be developed and field studies carried out.

FORCES: Field-tested Optimization of Resilience through Coupled Experiments and Simulation

In conclusion, Dr Fabio Brantschen, Head of the Military Infrastructure Protection Study Group (SG SIM) at armasuisse Immobilien, presented the implications of current developments in the Swiss concrete industry for modern protective structures.

Given the current security situation, the protection of critical infrastructure and military installations is becoming increasingly important. At the same time, rapid technological advances in concrete materials are giving rise to new materials and supporting the implementation of national environmental strategies. It is therefore important to thoroughly investigate the protective properties of these new materials before they are put into practical use.

To ensure Switzerland’s defence capability in the coming decades, armasuisse initiated the “FORCES” project several years ago in collaboration with international partners under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ‘Force Protection & Weapon Effects’. The aim is to investigate the performance of new types of concrete under weapon impact, both experimentally and numerically

In addition to the types of concrete currently in standard use, it must be borne in mind that existing supply chains may be disrupted in the event of a conflict or in exceptional circumstances. The research project is investigating whether, and under what conditions, so-called secondary materials – such as recycled concrete – can be used for protective structures, field defences or self-protection. To this end, their mechanical and protective properties are being comprehensively investigated at high strain rates. This will ensure that military infrastructure retains the necessary resilience even under adverse conditions.

On behalf of all those involved, armasuisse S+T would like to take this opportunity to thank the speakers and all participants for their keen interest and the open and valuable exchange of views.

S+T Research Program 4 - Impact, Protection and Safety

Munition in Schweizer Seen – Informationen des VBS (in german)