The renewal of the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Ships and Naval Weapons, Maritime Technology and Research (WTD 71) is progressing. On 30 June 2023 the first of two new sea trials measuring boats, built by Fassmer under a contract awarded in July 2021, was christened Kalkgrund by the mayor of Eckernförde, Iris Ploog, in Berne on the river Weser. The ceremony, musically accompanied by the Wilhelmshaven Naval Music Corps, took place in the presence of Dr Uwe Kretschmer, Head of Maritime Research and representative of the director of WTD 71, and the managing partner of the Fassmer shipyard, Harald Fassmer.
Kalkgrund and her sister ship will replace the Type 745 multi-purpose ships Breitgrund (Y866) and Mittelgrund (Y864) as well as the Type 741 barrage test boat Wilhelm Pullwer (A1406). The new ‘Messboote Seeversuche Küste’ are two identical vessels in which the capabilities of their predecessors are implemented one to one. Although constructed according to civilian standards, they meet the special requirements for defence trials.
The vessels’ mission profile includes securing and recovering torpedoes during trials, escorting submarines during shallow water trials, deploying autonomous underwater vehicles and conducting diving missions as part of defence-related investigations of diving devices and equipment. They are designed in such a way that the equipment can be adapted to the task. Thus, a targeted configuration of the units is to be made possible.
Hans-Uwe Mergener