The Importance of Testing and Evaluation in the Acquisition Process for Major Weapon Systems
Abstract
Testing new weapons is one of the Department of Defense's (DOD'S) key controls in the complex process of acquiring today's multibillion dollar systems. Testing at decisive stages of development shows where problems exist and helps military managers to make sounder decisions affecting future production and purchase of weapons than would otherwise be possible. Therefore the General Accounting Office (GAO) has reviewed the policies and practices of the military services in testing and evaluating weapon systems. GAO examined systems for which substantial testing history was available. Immediately prior to the start of this review, DOD was changing its policies for the acquisition process. These new policies, which are basically sound and in various stages of implementation, are being applied primarily to new systems entering the acquisition process. Test cases cited in this report therefore are not fully representative of current policies. There are three basic categories of testing and evaluation. Engineering testing to demonstrate physically, before a weapon system is accepted for production, that the system will perform as intended. Acceptance testing, to demonstrate that the state and quality of the system fulfill the legal and/or commercial requirements agreed to by the seller and the buyer. Operational suitability testing to demonstrate that the weapon system, the operating personnel, and the tactical operations can work together to accomplish an established combat mission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD1119487
Entities
People
- Elmer B. Staats
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office