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GAF Test Facility 61 (WTD 61), Manching

FBW = Fighter Bomber Wing
TTTE = Trinational Tornado Training Establishment
a.o.s. = out of service

 

the jets of WTD 61 (Wehrtechnische Dieststelle 61 - Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft)

Overall seen is the WTD 61 more or less the cradle of all German TORNADOs. First of all each german TORNADO was assembled in the halls of former MBB (today EADS) right next to WTD on the same compound. On the other side are all german TORNADOS technically coached by the WTD throughout their lifetime. For this purpose is the WTD equipped with a specific number of aircraift which can easily be increased by borrowing aircraft from the opeartional wings.

WTD 61 Tornado Norm 83B ASST 2 WTD 61 Sonderbemalung 50 Jahre WTD WTD 61 Tornado 98+03 (P 16) mit HARM

Norm 83B ASSTA2

special paint 50 years WTD 61 98+03 (P 16) with HARM
WTD 61 Tornado 98+06 (P 07) mit MW-1 WTD 61 Tornado Norm 83B mit TAURUS  

98+06 (P 07) with MW-1

Norm 83B with TAURUS

 
     

patches of WTD 61 (former Erpst 61 d.Bw.)

Facility patch Flight Test Pacht former ErprSt. 61

position and assignment

The Bundeswehr Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft (WTD 61), located in Manching, a little town about 80 km north of Munich, 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.Lagekarte der WTD 61 Manching

The WTD 61 is a subordinate agency of the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) situated in Koblenz and was founded in 1957.

task

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.

airplanes and armament

WTD 61 test platforms
  • fighter aircraft
    • 5 Tornado
    • 3 F-4f Phantom
    • Eurofighter
  • transport aircraft
    • 2 C-160 Transall
    • (A400M)
  • helicopter
    • 4 CH 53
    • 2 UH-1D
    • 2 Bo-105
    • 2 UH Tiger
    • NH90
 
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