Operational Test and Evaluation

Abstract

The Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) was created by Congress in 1983. The Director is responsible under Title 10 for policy and procedures for all aspects of Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) within the Department of Defense (DoD). Particular focus is given to OT&E that supports major weapon system production decisions for acquisition programs included on the Office of Secretary of Defense Test and Evaluation Oversight List that is prepared and approved annually. Generally, there are about 300 programs on the oversight list including all Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) and Major Automated Information Systems (MAIS). MDAPs may not proceed beyond low-rate initial production (BLRIP) until OT&E of the program is complete. DOT&E is involved early in the planning phase of each program to ensure adequate testing is planned and executed. Key elements of DOT&E's oversight authority include: -The approval of component Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPS). -The approval of component OT&E Test Plans (TPs). -Oversight of Military Department preparation and conduct of field operational tests; analysis and evaluation of the resultant test data; the assessment of the adequacy of the executed test and evaluation programs; and assessment of the operational effectiveness and suitability of the weapon systems. -Reporting results of OT&E that supports BLRIP decisions to the Secretary of Defense and Congress, as well as providing an annual report summarizing all OT&E activities and the adequacy of test resources within DoD during the previous fiscal year. DOT&E also oversees and resources OT&E community efforts to plan and execute joint operational evaluations of information assurance and interoperability of fielded systems and networks during major Combatant Command (CCMD) and Service exercises, and reports the trends and findings in the annual report. This Program Element includes funds to obtain Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) support in performing the described tasks, travel funds to carry out oversight of the OT&E program, funds for Service teams performing information assurance and interoperability assessments during exercises, and contractor support related to the conduct of operational test and evaluation and exercise assessments.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2014
Source ID
0605118OTE_6_0460_PB_2014
Change Summary Explanation
As a result of the Department's recognition of the importance of enhanced cyber assessment capabilities, additional resources were added in fiscal year 2014. Program Realignment made in support of an administrative contract ($1.225) and other programmatic adjustments (-$1.251).
Service Agency Name
Operational Test and Evaluation, Defense

Entities

Organizations

  • Operational Test and Evaluation Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Computer Networks
  • Cyber Threats
  • Department Of Defense
  • Economic Forecasting
  • Information Assurance
  • Information Operations
  • Interoperability
  • Military Acquisition
  • Networks
  • Operational Effectiveness
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Threat Evaluation
  • Threats
  • Time Standards
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • Weapon Systems

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management

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