Portrait of WTD 41
The Bundeswehr Technical Center for Automotive and Armored Vehicles (WTD 41) belongs to the BWB organization. It is located in Trier (Rhineland-Palatinate) and was founded in 1957.
WTD 41 is the center of technological competence supporting the German Ministry of Defense, the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement, the armed forces as well as other national and international customers, both government agencies and civilian companies, in the field of Bundeswehr land-based vehicle systems (wheeled and tracked vehicles, specialized vehicles and vehicles with various accessories and special fittings) and their respective components (drive and chassis components; electro-chemical energy sources and storage devices, electrical components, test equipment and vetronics).
The unique competencies of the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Automotive and Armored Vehicles stem from the synergy achieved, on the one hand, by joining infrastructural and personnel competencies and, on the other hand, by efficiently concentrating various resources at one location. The expertise which the WTD staff has gained in the fields of systems technology and methodology is second to none and attractive both for the defense industry and for the civilian automotive industry.
The main areas of responsibility of the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Automotive and Armored Vehicles are:
- Testing / study and assessment of land-based vehicle systems;
- Testing / study of vehicle assemblies;
- Overall technical responsibility for the technological aspects of vehicle components;
- Research and Technology studies into vehicle-specific applications, technical support of the Project Management at the responsible management agency, as well as
- Cooperation with universities and international technical defense institutions; participation in international panels (e.g. NATO working groups).
WTD 41 currently has a staff of about 420. Furthermore, WTD 41 offers vocational training to about four apprentices a year in the following occupations:
- Motor vehicle mechatronics technician
- Electronics technician for equipment and systems.
