WIWeB

WIWeB provides tailored materials for specific defense applications as well as generic systems that are not available in the civilian sector. In this context it is important to note that WIWeB develops efficient materiel protection concepts and procedures to maintain the functionality and the value of Bundeswehr equipment during its use, transportation or storage.

The “Materials, Designs and Structures” division conducts research primarily on new armor and penetrator materials as well as on high-performance lightweight materials, on the operational behavior and repair of fiber composite components as well as on military material protection and surface technology.

The “POL Products and Tribology” division analyzes how an unrestricted supply of these products to the Bundeswehr can be achieved under extreme climatic conditions. Military use brings about particularities that are handled differently in the civilian sector or do not exist there at all. The work in the division focuses on understanding the performance behavior of POLs, on the subject area of electrorheological and magnetorheological fluids (smart fluids) as well as on compatibility and contamination tolerance.

The “Chemical Product Safety, Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Protection” division analyzes the effects of chemical agents on human beings and the environment. The main objective in this context is to minimize the threat potential of materials and POL products to human beings and to the environment during their entire life cycle. In addition, the researchers at WIWeB develop new specific analysis methods to quantitatively determine harmful ingredients and reactants in materials and POL products. Another particular focus is on determining and assessing the threats posed by environmental influences in the theaters of operations to Bundeswehr personnel and on developing tailored protective measures.

In the research field “Personal Gear of the Soldier”, WIWeB develops camouflage and deception measures and provides solutions for mission-adapted and system-compatible clothing with optimum fits and materials. Moreover, the research field ensures optimum wearing comfort in all climate zones and determines the relevant comfort characteristics using suitable test methods. This caters to the deployment-related, ever-changing requirements for functional clothing in order to achieve a significant performance increase in the five core areas, i.e. effective engagement, command and control capability, mobility, survivability and sustainability.

WIWeB supports newly developed and fielded projects with materiel protection concepts and specific test procedures throughout the entire life cycle of the device or equipment. In case of damage, WIWeB can identify the causes and thus help to avoid such occurrences in the future. A particular focus is on regular on-condition monitoring of the materiel, e.g. by ultrasonic testing.

In order to ensure the long-term use of Bundeswehr equipment, WIWeB develops concepts for materiel protection and protection during storage and transportation and implements these concepts together with military agencies. Moreover, WIWeB makes lifetime predictions for individual components in order to determine how long and how intensively an equipment item can be used. Another focus of work at WIWeB is on repairs, both in its repair center in Germany and in the theaters of operations.

The Bundeswehr Hazardous Substance Measurement Office South, which is part of WIWeB, is the central point of contact for civilian and military Bundeswehr personnel in all matters relating to environmental protection and occupational safety and health. It conducts workplace measurements in barracks, civilian buildings and in the Bundeswehr theaters of operations and ensures the safe handling of hazardous substances by conducting environmental analyses. As a precaution, WIWeB examines the materials for potential hazards already prior to their employment to ensure they will be tolerated by human beings.

In addition, WIWeB prepares expert reports on the extension of the shelf life and service life of fabrics relevant for aviation safety after the expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty period and thus helps to reduce procurement costs.

WIWeB’s statutory responsibilities include Government Quality Assurance inspections, type tests and first article inspections. In addition, the Institute developed a laboratory container which allows quality checks of POL products under the technical control of WIWeB even on operations abroad.

The Bundeswehr Control Center for Welding Engineering is another WIWeB facility. It deals with all regulations and requirements for welding operations in the Bundeswehr and is responsible for monitoring their compliance.

Manufacture and maintenance of defense products must meet defined quality standards due to the static and dynamic stresses acting on these products, their applications and the special safety and reliability requirements applicable to the products. Consequently, all companies conducting welding operations on defense products must obtain a special manufacturer qualification certificate in accordance with DIN 2303, “Welding and Allied Processes – Quality Requirements for Production and Maintenance Companies for Military Products”.

These certificates are issued by organizations recognized by the Bundeswehr Control Center for Welding Engineering.

Tasks and activities of the Bundeswehr Control Center for Welding Engineering

• Responsible management of DIN 2303
• Designation of recognized organizations
• Provision of advice, coordination and guidelines for the work of the recognized organizations with regard to DIN 2303
• Preparation of a work instruction to provide the recognized organizations with internal reference material that supplements DIN 2303
• Representation of Bundeswehr interests vis-á-vis the DIN Standards Committee for Shipbuilding and Marine Technology
• Responsible management and updating of Volume 1050 of the Construction Regulations for German Navy Ships (BV 1050), “Erzeugnisse aus metallischen Werkstoffen, Schweißzusätze und Schweißhilfsstoffe, Qualifikation und Schweißverbindungen” (Products made from metallic materials, filler materials and welding consumables, qualification and welded joints)
• Qualification and approval of new metallic materials and filler materials in accordance with BV 1050
• Support of major Bundeswehr projects with regard to welding

Additional Information

Manufacturer Qualification - German version (PDF, 631.7 KB)
Current manufacturer qualification certificates for parent materials in accordance with BV 1050 must be requested in writing from the Bundeswehr Center of Welding and Bonding Technology.
List of Companies Authorized to Manufacture and Deliver Welding Consumables - German Version (PDF, 107.6 KB)