Joint Mission Environment Test Capability (JMETC)

The Joint Mission Environment Test Capability (JMETC) program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise-wide initiative aimed at providing robust test and evaluation (T&E) capabilities for system-to-system interoperability, mission-level environment testing, and cyber event operations. The program is aligned with national strategic guidance to enhance the readiness of the Department to experiment and test the development of resilient, survivable, federated networks and information systems. JMETC supports both tactical and strategic objectives and is funded under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support Budget Activity, reflecting its role in supporting RDT&E programs across the DoD.

JMETC Distributed Test is a core component of the program, focusing on expanding the Department's capability to conduct complex, large-scale distributed experimentation, testing, and training events. Its objectives include supporting system interoperability certification, assessments of command and control systems, air and missile defense, unmanned and autonomous aircraft, precision-guided munitions, and coalition exercises. The program leverages innovative big data analysis solutions, such as the Cloud Hybrid Edge-to-Enterprise Evaluation & Test Analysis Suite (CHEETAS), which utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to reduce data analysis time and enable faster identification and correction of issues during test events.

In FY2025 and FY2026, JMETC Distributed Test plans to further expand secure, distributed connectivity to additional sites, including overseas and partner facilities. The program will increase cloud storage and services to meet T&E data availability requirements throughout the acquisition lifecycle. It will also develop the All Domain Test Range (ADTR) to support joint experimentation at Combatant Commands and enhance Development, Security, Operations (DevSecOps) capabilities for rapid cyber evaluation and integration. These expansions are intended to provide acquisition program managers with the tools and infrastructure needed to ensure that systems are interoperable and resilient in realistic joint mission environments.

JMETC National Cyber Range (NCR) Complex comprises a network of cyber ranges and secure distributed infrastructure to support the cyber range user community. The NCRC currently includes several functional cyber ranges, with ongoing expansion to additional sites co-located with key Service organizations such as Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, and Eglin Air Force Base. The objective is to address increasing demand for cybersecurity testing, training, experimentation, and mission rehearsal, supporting a wide variety of DoD customers including research, development, acquisition, testing, training, and operational Cyber Mission Forces.

The NCRC conducts numerous cyber events annually, including cybersecurity test and evaluation for Major Defense Acquisition Programs, operational test and evaluation, security controls assessments, and cyberspace operations training. It provides high-fidelity, mission-representative environments for testing and training, facilitates integration of distributed organizations, and supports the development and refinement of cyberspace tactics, techniques, and procedures. The NCRC workforce offers expertise in software, systems, network, virtualization, automation, and cybersecurity, assisting users in defining event objectives, identifying vulnerabilities, designing cyber environments, and delivering actionable reports.

Planned expansions in FY2025 and FY2026 for the NCRC include achieving full operational capability at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, as well as initial operational capability at Eglin Air Force Base. These efforts are supported by a long-term contract structure, allowing rapid incorporation of technological advances. The NCRC also continues to implement unclassified capabilities for workforce development and supports bi-lateral and multi-national exercises, enhancing the cyber resilience and lethality of DoD systems and forces.