Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E)
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: - Approve component Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPS). - Approve component OT&E Test Plans (TPs). - Oversee 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. - Report 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. - Review and make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense on all budgetary and financial matters related to OT&E, including operational test facilities, resources and ranges. DOT&E also oversees and resources OT&E community efforts to plan and execute joint operational evaluations of information assurance and interoperability (IA and IOP) of fielded systems and networks during major Combatant Command (CCMD) and Service exercises, and reports the trends and findings in the annual report. DOT&E is also involved in increasing the capacity to access realistically advanced cyber warfare capabilities to keep pace with heightened demand for their capabilities, advancing technologies and the growing cyber threat. 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 and IA and IOP programs, funds for Service teams performing information assurance and interoperability assessments during exercises, administrative support services, DFAS support, and engineering and technical support services related to the conduct of operational test and evaluation and exercise assessments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- 0605118OTE_6_0460_PB_2018
- Change Summary Explanation
- AMENDED BUDGET REQUEST JUSTIFICATION: $2.725 million is required to address emergency warfighting readiness requirements This increase is for Cybersecurity Assessments including funding three commercially available exploits to help DoD Red Teams portray Tier 3 cyber adversaries; funding and configuring three Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) for cybersecurity testing to identify vulnerabilities in fielded systems and acquisition programs, identify mitigation strategies, and promulgate efficient test guidance; deploying a new platform to improve situational awareness and control of five DoD Red Teams. $3.374 million in FY 2018 is to develop testing standards, policies, and practices for cyber payloads.
- Service Agency Name
- Operational Test and Evaluation, Defense
Entities
Organizations
- Operational Test and Evaluation Force
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