Air Force Development Test and Evaluation Under Acquisition Reform: Six Flight Test Process Concepts

Abstract

Acquisition Reform changed government involvement in system acquisition with transition to best commercial practices. Shortened acquisition timelines, reduced budgets and increased contractor test responsibilities intensified several issues. These issues are test planning and execution capabilities, joint contractor and government test efficiency, and both government and industry test experience levels. Today's DT&E methods are insufficient to successfully overcome increased system complexity, decreased test budgets, and reduced manpower challenges of the future. To meet these challenges, this project presents six test recommendations which enhance DT&E contributions to the acquisition process. The six recommendations are: (1) Develop a single commercial industry standard governing military aviation testing. (2) Emphasize greater simulation configuration control and technological simulation advances, with software test and avionics integration simulation the highest priorities. (3) Refine the Integrated Test Team Concept to combine contractor, development, and operational test requirements in addition to innovative test program teaming. (4) Streamline development and operational test data requirements and allow contractor and development test personnel to supplement operational test teams. (5) Automate test planning and execution functions to reduce manpower investments. (6) Modify the Federal Aviation Administration Designated Engineering Representative concept to increase contractor test autonomy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA398581

Entities

People

  • Joann L. Erno

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Best Practices
  • Contractors
  • Cost Reductions
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Governments
  • Lessons Learned
  • Manpower
  • Military Acquisition
  • Military Aviation
  • Satellite Guided Weapons
  • Standards
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.