Management HQ - T&E

The Management HQ - T&E program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0606398F, is a line item in the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically under Budget Activity 6: RDT&E Management Support. The primary goal of this program is to fund the civilian salaries of personnel at the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) management headquarters. These personnel are responsible for leading, guiding, and directing the operation of AFTC test activities, which are integral to the Department of Defense's Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB).

The objectives of the Management HQ - T&E line item are focused on ensuring effective oversight and administration of test and evaluation (T&E) activities. The AFTC management headquarters staff play a critical role in supporting the infrastructure and operations necessary for general research, development, test, and evaluation across the Air Force.

By providing stable funding for these civilian positions, the program ensures continuity in leadership and management of T&E resources and activities. Within this program element, the specific budget line for Test and Evaluation Support is the primary funded activity, dedicated exclusively to supporting the civilian pay for AFTC management headquarters staff. The decrease in planned funding for future years reflects adjustments for civilian pay repricing, workforce reductions, and updated civilian pay assumptions.

The justification for this program centers on the necessity of maintaining a highly qualified and stable civilian workforce to manage and oversee the Air Force's test and evaluation infrastructure. The AFTC is responsible for a wide range of T&E activities that support the development and fielding of new technologies and systems for the Air Force and the broader Department of Defense.

Effective management of these activities is essential to ensure that T&E resources are used efficiently and that test programs are executed safely and effectively. In FY 2026, the program experienced a net decrease in funding, primarily due to workforce optimization initiatives and compliance with Executive Order 14210, which mandates government efficiency and workforce optimization. This reduction was achieved through civilian workforce repricing and reductions, aligning the program with broader federal efforts to streamline operations and optimize personnel costs.

The Air Force Test Center Civilian Pay subline within this program continues to be the sole focus of funding, with planned expenditures dedicated entirely to civilian pay for management headquarters staff. There are no additional program funding summaries or acquisition strategies associated with this line item, as its scope is limited to personnel costs for management support functions.