Initial Operational Test and Eval
Abstract
The program element funds the Air Force Operational and Test Center (AFOTEC) to conduct Congressionally mandated Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) to support major weapon system acquisition decisions beyond Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), Milestone C, full rate production, fielding, and declaration of Initial Operational Capability (IOC). For Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP), the law requires IOT&E be completed under realistic operating conditions before proceeding beyond LRIP. IOT&E is planned to answer all critical operational issues (COI) as thoroughly as possible. IOT&E is conducted to determine the operational effectiveness and suitability, and resolve overall mission capability, of systems undergoing research and development (R&D) efforts. It is an evaluation of a system's performance when the complete system is tested and evaluated against operational criteria by personnel with the same qualifications as those who will operate, maintain and support the system when deployed. In general, IOT&E is performed on new systems in development, major modifications, and other systems as directed. This PE also funds participation in Multiservice Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E), and Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) when it is the continuation of IOT&E activities past the full rate production decision. FOT&E answers specific questions about unresolved COIs and test issues or completes areas not finished during the IOT&E. Lastly, this PE funds related operational test and evaluation (OT&E) activities such as conducting Early Influence, agile release tests, Integrated Test and Evaluation (IT&E), Operational Utility Evaluations (OUE), Early Operational Assessments (EOA), and Operational Assessments (OA). These tests support releases and major milestones and decision points prior to Milestone C, full rate production, fielding, or declaration of IOC. IOT&E programs are identified in four system categories: Air; Weapons; Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR); and Combat Support. This program element is driven by Congressional and DoD acquisition mandated requirements for operational testing. AFOTEC schedules and executes tests according to the forecasted test readiness of the MDAP program offices. This program is in Budget Activity 6, RDT&E Management Support because this budget activity includes research, development, test and evaluation efforts and funds to sustain and/or modernize the installations or operations required for general research, development, test and evaluation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Source ID
- 660191_0605712F_6_3600_PB_2022
Related Documents
- Root: Initial Operational Test & Evaluation
- Child Accomplishment: Air Systems OT&E
- Child Accomplishment: Space Systems OT&E
- Child Accomplishment: Weapons Systems OT&E
- Child Accomplishment: C4ISR Systems OT&E
- Child Accomplishment: Combat Support OT&E