Airbus Defence and Space, in partnership with Drehtainer GmbH and Binz Automotive, has delivered the first of 13 protected-wounded transport containers (GVTC) to the German Armed Forces. The GVTC will be used to transport sick, injured, and wounded patients safely to hospitals or field hospitals, while also providing medical care during transport.
The GVTC was developed based on the international ISO standard 20-foot container, making it around 6 meters long and easy to mount on existing Bundeswehr trucks via an integrated hook roll-off system. With a power generation unit enabling self-sufficient operation for hours and a high-performance air-conditioning system, the GVTC can be used in extreme climatic conditions.
The container can accommodate up to eight patients and two paramedics who can monitor vital signs and oxygen saturation, perform defibrillator operations, and ventilate patients via the integrated oxygen-generation system. The GVTC is also designed to protect its occupants and equipment on board from chemical warfare agents, shelling, and heavy explosions.
Harald Mannheim, managing director of Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, said that the GVTC improves the Bundeswehr’s rescue chain and ability to recover, transport and treat the wounded in crisis areas. “In this respect, the GVTC is further proof of how we and our state-of-the-art technologies help all those who help others,” Mannheim added.
The first GVTC, delivered on April 20th, will undergo tests and training as a ‘proof-of-concept’ vehicle. After the training is complete, the remaining 12 GVTCs are scheduled to be handed over to the Bundeswehr between 2024 and 2026.
The GVTC marks a significant improvement in the Bundeswehr’s medical transport capabilities, enabling medical personnel to safely transport patients in crisis areas while providing necessary medical care. The technology is an example of how state-of-the-art technologies can help improve the safety and wellbeing of those who serve and protect their communities.
