Initial Operational Test & Evaluation

PE 0605712F: Initial Operational Test & Evaluation is a program element within the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support budget activity. The primary goal of this line item is to fund the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) to conduct Congressionally mandated Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for major weapon system acquisition programs. These tests are essential for supporting decisions beyond Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), Milestone C, full rate production, fielding, and the declaration of Initial Operational Capability (IOC). The program ensures that all critical operational issues (COIs) are addressed under realistic operating conditions before a system advances in its acquisition lifecycle.

Air Systems OT&E focuses on planning, executing, and reporting operational tests for new and modified air platforms. Activities include operational testing for military GPS user equipment, cyber vulnerability assessments, integrated test and evaluation for electronic warfare systems, and sensor enhancements. The program also supports adversarial assessments and cooperative vulnerability and penetration assessments for these platforms. Efforts continue with adversarial assessments for various aircraft and ongoing planning for emerging air system programs. Funding for air systems testing decreases due to reduced aircraft testing requirements.

Weapons Systems OT&E is dedicated to the operational testing of advanced munitions and weapon platforms. Activities include adversarial assessments and cooperative vulnerability penetration assessments for standoff missiles, agile release tests for unified platforms, operational testing for air-to-air missiles, and measures development for hypersonic and stand-in attack weapons. The program expands testing for unified platforms, hypersonic missiles, stand-in attack weapons, ground-based strategic deterrent systems, and long-range cruise missiles, with increased funding to support additional test activities.

C4ISR Systems OT&E supports the operational testing of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. Plans include assessments for expeditionary radar, cloud-based command and control, air operations center systems, strategic network terminals, cyber command and control, and survivable airborne operations centers. Testing expands to include battle management systems, personnel and pay systems, over-the-horizon radar, and additional support for data analytics, simulation environments, and cybersecurity. Funding increases reflect the continuation and expansion of these efforts.

Combat Support OT&E encompasses operational testing for systems that provide support functions across the Air Force. Activities include operational testing for personnel and pay systems, assessments for maintenance and overhaul initiatives, testing for chemical agent detection, and mission risk assessments for handheld GPS equipment. The program focuses on testing next-generation ejection seats and continues planning for new combat support programs as requirements emerge. Funding decreases due to the completion of some test programs in this category.

The overarching objective of PE 0605712F is to ensure that new and modified Air Force systems are operationally effective, suitable, and capable of meeting mission requirements before they are fielded. This program element also supports Multiservice Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E) and Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) when required, as well as related OT&E activities such as Continuous Operational Testing, Early Influence, agile release tests, and operational assessments. These efforts are driven by statutory and DoD acquisition requirements and are scheduled according to the readiness of Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs).

Funding adjustments reflect a reduction for Advisory and Assistance Services, aligning with Executive Order 14222 to promote government efficiency. The program does not include procurement of RDT&E articles, and its activities are focused solely on testing, evaluation, and support for the operational readiness of Air Force systems across air, weapons, C4ISR, and combat support domains.