TDUs Overview and ATDU

Agenda•Army Trials & development – Overview•Armoured Trials & Development Unit (ATDU)•Major Mark McNeil•Combat Service Support Trials & DevelopmentUnit (CSSTDU)•Major Mike Potter•Infantry Trials & Development Unit (ITDU)•Lt Col James York

Generic MissionCarry out user trials anddevelopment tasks on armyequipment in order toeffectively support the Army’sEquipment Programme.

TDUs•7 TDUs covering all disciplines•ARMOURED•ARTILLERY•ENGINEERS•COMMAND INFORMATION SYSTEMS•INFANTRY•AVIATION•COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT/REME

TDU Resources•7 TDUs covering all disciplines•277 officers and men•Lance Corporal to Lieutenant Colonel•Access to Field Soldiers, advice,equipment, training areas, dedicatedtrials facilities•Ability to switch focus as required

Armoured Trials andDevelopment UnitMajor Mark McNeil2IC ATDU

Bovington Trg AreaThe Armour Centre has a fleet of over 180 AFVs and provides catering andaccommodation facilities for up to 2000. The Armour Centre also has 10,000acres of training area including an 8km All Weather Driving Circuit, a 75kmCross Country Driving Circuit and extensive firing ranges capable ofaccommodating advanced troop fire and manoeuvre exercises.

ATDUMission StatementMission – To carry out usertrials and developmenttasks on Armoured VehicleEquipments in order toprovide timely support to theEquipment Programme

Implied Tasks (Effects)●●●●●●Be Subject Matter Experts (Learn)• We are expected to know what we are talkingabout (4* visits downwards)Inform• Trials results – not always what people want tohear?Educate• Includes hosting visits – take away the mysteryand provide the reality of what’s comingAdvise• Industry on how soldiers use their equipmentInfluence• Future trials, further development, actions beyondthe scope of trials.Investigate• The art of the possible – Private Venture (Industry)

Key Challenges•Survivability•Design & Space•Robustness, Energy absorbing•Weight reduction•Stress on running gears•Power management•More reliance on technology