Weapon Performance: Operational Test and Evaluation can Contribute More to Decisionmaking,

Abstract

Short of war, operational test and evaluation (OT&E) is the primary means of predicting weapon system performance in a combat representative environment. To replicate realistic wartime conditions, military personnel representative of those expected to operate a weapon system participate in the field testing. OT&E results are particularly critical to help decide whether weapons system modifications are needed before production to avoid costly retrofit or improvement programs after systems are fielded. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs requested GAO to summarize historical problems on the adequacy of OT&E reported since 1970 and examine recently deployed major weapon systems and determine whether the usefulness of OT&E has been limited. Weapon Systems Selected for Review were: Ground Launched Cruise; EF-111A Tactical Jamming System; Bradley Fighting Vehicle; Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS); F/A-18 Aircraft; and AGM-88A High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM).

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA177572

Entities

People

  • Frank C. Conahan

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Anti-Radiation Missiles
  • Environment
  • Military Personnel
  • Multiple Launch Rocket System
  • Production
  • Radiation
  • Rockets
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Weapon Systems
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.