Portrait of WTD 61
The Bundeswehr Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft (WTD 61) belongs to the BWB organization. It is located in Manching (Bavaria) and was founded in 1957.
WTD 61 is the responsible Bundeswehr authority which ensures that all aircraft in service are safe and comply with their performance parameters – in the interest of both the aircrew's and the population's safety.
To fulfill this task, WTD 61 represents Bundeswehr interests in all national and international programs involving military manned and unmanned aviation. Both at the national and international level, WTD 61 maintains close connections with other technical and military agencies, test centers, companies, research institutes, universities and program offices.
Furthermore, WTD 61 is responsible for the qualification and type inspection of any modifications carried out on in-service aircraft.
Thanks to its facilities and equipment (airfield with two runways and test aircraft fitted with state-of-the-art metrological equipment), WTD 61 is in a position to perform most of its test and evaluation tasks on site. Otherwise, there is the possibility to use other test facilities and firing ranges in Germany or in partner states.
The tasks of the Bundeswehr Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft in Manching are as follows:
- Verification activities – sometimes on foreign test ranges – for all national and international flight test projects with German participation;
- Technical support of all Bundeswehr flying weapon systems and their respective equipment/armament;
- Type inspection/type certification in accordance with German Joint Service Regulation (ZDv 19/1) or the German Air Navigation Act;
- Management and coordination of R&T programs defined by the Federal Ministry of Defense;
- Representation of Germany in international projects by participation in numerous working groups;
- Airfield operation, including all required technical installations;
- Operation of approximately 20 test aircraft (7 types), including the pertinent metrology.
WTD 61 currently has a staff of about 700. Furthermore, WTD 61 each year offers vocational training to:
- 14 Aircraft mechanic (specializing in maintenance);
- 12 Electronics technician for equipment and systems.
