WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52

WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 protects military buildings and installations (e.g. camps, checkpoints and military bases) and the people in them. To this end, the Technical Center tests constructions like specifically designed blast wall systems. These tests simulate attacks on military infrastructure with different weapons. These include military weapons like small caliber weapons, shoulder-fired weapons, rockets, artillery and mortars, as well as car bombs and IEDImprovised Explosive Device.

How resistant are military buildings to terrorist attacks? To find the answer, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 simulates attacks on its grounds, for instance car bombs. Of particular interest in the investigations and evaluations is the debris spread and the resulting hazard range, to be able to determine the appropriate safety distance to potential detonation sites. 

But WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 analyzes more than just military objects. The Technical Center’s expertise serves beyond military matters: It is also called upon when there is a need for the physical protection of sensitive civilian infrastructure like embassies, banks, major traffic junctions, etc.

Ammunition must be stored safely, especially during operations. To this end, solid buildings are required which resist attack in a real-case scenario. Using a combination of modelling, real-life trials and computer simulations, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 assesses risks and then develops building structures for safe ammunition storage.

In cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Short-Term Dynamics, the Technical Center developed special software tools. These are constantly being optimized and improved to also meet the requirements of future scenarios and to contribute to an easier planning of field ammunition depots, as well as to a better recognition of dangers in advance.

What effect do blast waves have on physical structures and weapon systems, for instance after a bomb attack? To reconstruct this situation, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 uses the Large Blast Simulator (LBSLarge Blast Simulator). Highly compressed air produces a blast comparable to a real detonation. The range of the simulator - by the way, the only one in Europe - covers everything from a car bomb to a nuclear detonation.

A numerical simulation is a special kind of computer simulation using numerical methods to simulate a natural or technical process. Since the mid-90s, the Technical Center uses specific software to calculate weapons effects and the reaction of protected structures. Today, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 uses an entire network of fast computers working in parallel. 

On the basis of these results, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 experts assess facts and advise the clients requesting the analysis. An advantage of numerical simulations conducted in the field of defense technology: They are far less expensive than real tests.

The use of explosive ordnance (such as minefields or IEDs) in both symmetric and asymmetric warfare can cause immense damage to the Bundeswehr, its allies and the civilian population.

The Bundeswehr uses various countermeasures to counteract this. The timely detection of explosive ordnance or IEDs constitutes an important contribution to this. For this purpose, existing, improved and new detection technologies (such as ground radar or metal detectors) are tested and evaluated at the facilities and test stands of WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 such as the landmine and IEDImprovised Explosive Device building (L-IEDImprovised Explosive Device-Halle).  

Non-lethal weapons are weapons effective below the threshold of lethality. They help soldiers close the capability gap between avoiding the use of arms in the framework of diplomacy and using lethal force. 

With the aid of non-lethal weapons, troops should be able to influence individuals or crowds in a way that ensures accomplishment of the mission without causing permanent injury or loss of life. Depending on the degree of escalation, a variety of non-lethal weapons may be employed. 

WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 tests all physical and technical options available – from mechanical and acoustic through to directed-energy weapons. In the framework of defense-related R&T, new technologies are being assessed and refined.

It is essential for survival on a mission that the enemy cannot identify or locate the own troops or their equipment, or at least that they are identified or located as late as possible.

Their signatures, not only visual and acoustic, but covering a wide range of different physical quantities, must, therefore, be reduced as far as possible. For this reason, beside camouflage, deception and stealth technologies, the field of indirect protection also includes signature management.

At WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52, signatures covering the full spectral range from radar sensors to ultraviolet are analyzed to provide an efficient signature management for Bundeswehr vehicles and equipment. In laboratories, in open terrain and in the framework of national and international measurement campaigns, products such as camouflage patterns, modular multispectral camouflage kits, models or comprehensive signature management concepts are created to increase in-theater survivability worldwide. 

When using an ejection seat in an emergency, this means extreme stress for both pilots and their equipment. Will helmet, breathing mask or protective vest resist? Are there any possible flaws? In an emergency, the pilot’s survival depends on the correct functioning and protective effect of these components.

Therefore, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 tests these vital components in the simulator for aerodynamic flow effects. Beyond this, the functioning of mechanical components of rockets and guided missiles during flight are tested in the aerodynamic flow simulator in reproducible test conditions. 

Bundeswehr antenna support structures have to meet far more stringent requirements concerning material, quality of torsion, inclination properties and overall system strength than equipment for civilian use. Operational readiness and operational safety of antenna support structures must be ensured, even in adverse environmental conditions like rain, snow, ice or exceptionally high wind speeds.

Therefore, the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Protective and Special Technologies tests mobile antenna support structures for service use in the Bundeswehr, using static and dynamic stressing, then verifies their proper functioning. Main aspects of antenna support structures to be verified are: safety, functional capability, handling, stability and strength, all within the required mission parameters.

WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 tests primary batteries for use in the Bundeswehr. In the course of constant quality monitoring, batteries are regularly subjected to type inspection, government quality assurance and storability checks. Beyond this, in the event of incidents, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 carries out special investigations.

In missions abroad, the Bundeswehr is deployed in very different climatic regions. This means continuously new challenges for the equipment of military personnel.

Therefore, WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 carries out tests in its environmental testing laboratory. Here, realistic trials with numerous test objects like electronic components, batteries or ammunition are carried out in a cost-efficient way. Tests of mechanical and climatic stress scenarios as well as atmospheric pressure tests are carried out.

Scientific studies in underwater ballistics at WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 include more than underwater blast and ballistic trials with torpedoes. Sea mine effects and burning tests of underwater propulsion systems in simulations of water depths of up to 600 m are part of this field of work. 

Of particular importance in these tests is the range simulator for underwater ballistics with a depth of 60 m and a diameter of 5 m. This test facility is also used by other Bundeswehr Technical Centers and Institutes, and by industry, in the framework of trials or developments in the field of defense technology, as well as by military units in underwater blast training and military diving. 

You are coming by car?

• Take the A8 from Munich towards Salzburg. Take the exit Bad Reichenhall and turn right onto the B 20 towards Bad Reichenhall/Lofer. Continue on the B 20 and the B 21 ring road towards Lofer. 
• After leaving Bad Reichenhall, drive along the lake ("Saalachsee#de") until you reach the B 305 junction. 
• There, turn left towards Berchtesgaden. About one kilometer later, turn right and follow the signposts to WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52.

You are coming by train? 

• Take the train from Munich to Freilassing. In Freilassing, change trains, now towards Bad Reichenhall. 

WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 52 cannot be reached by local public transport services.

You arrive at Munich Airport (Franz-Josef-Strauß Airport)? 

• From there, take the train to Bad Reichenhall via Munich-East ("München-Ost#en"), Rosenheim and Freilassing.

 You arrive at Salzburg Airport? 

• Take a taxi. Salzburg Airport is only about 10 km away from Bad Reichenhall.