Portrait of WTD 51
The Bundeswehr Technical Center for Engineer and General Field Equipment (WTD 51) belongs to the BWB organization. It is located in Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate) and was founded in 1958.
WTD 51 is the technology competence center for engineer and general field equipment used by the Bundeswehr. Apart from specific technical tasks in the fields of hydraulics, mobile power supply systems, compressed-gas technology and climatic engineering, WTD 51 is in charge of testing armored vehicle-launched bridges, dry gap bridges, floating bridges, amphibious bridging systems, ferries, assault boats and amphibious land vehicles – to the extent that their amphibious capabilities are concerned.
Further responsibilities include the testing and assessment of all systems and components of field camps and mobile medical facilities, except the medical equipment itself. These activities are of particular importance for the Bundeswehr crisis reaction forces.
Moreover, WTD 51 provides technical support to fueling trucks and mobile POL containers of various designs before and after their introduction into service.
A pipeline test facility set up at WTD 51 is used to facilitate post-design support of the Bundeswehr field pipeline equipment and the NATO Central European Pipeline System.
The main responsibilities of the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Engineer and General Field Equipment are
- Performance of experiments and analyses as well as integrated compliance demonstrations as defined by the CPM (Customer Product Management) procedural regulations;
- Testing, analysis and assessment of engineer and general field equipment;
- Contribution towards armament projects by providing technical and other expert advice, as well as
- Provision of technical support during the service life of engineer and general field equipment.
WTD 51 currently has a staff of about 240.
