Development Test & Evaluation
Abstract
The Development Test & Evaluation (DT&E) project 804 provides resources to support Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) and Rapid Prototyping/Fielding Program Managers, Chief Developmental Testers, and Lead DT&E Organizations in the development of comprehensive, efficient, and innovative DT&E strategies/plans to support key acquisition milestones and engineering decisions. This project also supports the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) to manage the Test & Evaluation (T&E) career field and curriculum for the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition workforce and develop policy and guidance for the conduct of DT&E within DoD. On behalf of the USD(R&E) this project executes the following activities: - Support acquisition programs in the development of comprehensive, efficient, and innovative test strategies. Ensure that developmental test strategies are documented in Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPs). For Acquisition Category (ACAT) ID programs, review and approve/disapprove the DT&E strategy/plans within the TEMP. For ACAT IB and IC programs, review the DT&E strategy/plans within the TEMP and provide a recommendation to the Service Milestone Decision Authority as to whether or not the strategy is adequate. - Support rapid prototyping, rapid fielding, and technology demonstrations efforts in the development of tailored comprehensive, efficient, and innovative DT&E strategies/plans. - For ACAT ID programs, provide independent DT&E Sufficiency Assessments to the Defense Acquisition Executive at the Milestone B and C decisions with the goal of reducing discovery of performance issues later in the acquisition cycle. - For ACAT IB and IC programs, provide an independent DT&E program assessment to the Service Milestone Decision Authority prior to the development Request for Proposal (RFP) release decision point and at the Milestone B and C decisions with the goal of reducing discovery of performance issues later in the acquisition cycle. - When requested by the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Defense, provide independent developmental test assessments in support of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) and Service Major Defense Acquisition Programs. - Support the development of independent technical risk assessments and advise the Secretary on the progress toward meeting Key Performance Parameters, technology maturation, reliability growth projections, interoperability, and cybersecurity posture before any decision to grant Milestone A or B approval, or enter into low-rate initial production or full-rate production for ACAT ID programs or when requested by the Secretary. - Support the Scientific Test and Analysis Techniques Center of Excellence (STAT COE) that provides scientific analytical expertise to service MDAPs. - Identify the DoD test infrastructure gaps and support development of the OUSD(R&E) test resources strategic plan. - Evolve the DT&E 'state of practice' to keep pace with emerging technologies and improve test efficiency to field systems faster. - Coordinate with Director, Operational Test and Evaluation to improve T&E efficiency and make best use of integrated testing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 804_0605804D8Z_6_0400_PB_2025
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