Support of Operational Testing

The Support of Operational Testing program (PE 0605712A) is a critical component of the Army's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support portfolio. Its primary objective is to provide resources to the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) for the operation of the Army's Operational Test Command (OTC). The program ensures the Army can conduct independent and realistic operational tests on key systems, concepts, and equipment. This provides essential data to Army decision-makers in support of transformation priorities and acquisition processes.

ATEC Activities under this program element are designed to finance the recurring costs necessary to maintain continuous and realistic operational testing. These costs include civilian pay, test support contracts, sustainment of test technology, network support, training, supplies, equipment, and temporary duty travel. The OTC, headquartered at Fort Cavazos, Texas, operates through multiple specialized test directorates located across the country. Each directorate focuses on different domains such as airborne and special operations, air and missile defense, fires support, intelligence electronic warfare, aviation, maneuver, mission command, and sustainment.

A key goal of the program is to support the development and fielding cycle of all Army acquisition programs, including rapid fielding initiatives that align with Army transformation efforts. The OTC plays a central role in planning, executing, and reporting on a variety of test types, including Customer Tests, Early User Tests, Limited User Tests (LUT), Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOTE), and Follow-On Operational Tests (FOT). These tests are required by public law (Title 10 USC 2399) and are integral to ensuring that new systems meet operational requirements before full-scale production and deployment.

Operational Test Command Civilian Pay is a major line item within this program, supporting the salaries and deployment of the OTC civilian workforce. These civilians are responsible for conducting trusted and independent operational testing for Army and Department of Defense acquisition programs, with a particular focus on Army Futures Command Cross Functional Team (CFT) programs. The workforce is deployed globally to replicate future operating environments, provide real-time test control, and collect data on mission effectiveness, suitability, and survivability.

Operational Test Command Operations Support covers the operational costs required to execute the test mission. This includes mission support and information technology contracts, logistics, training, equipment, travel, facility maintenance, and supplies. Contracted support is essential for test support requirements, IT and network support, and technology modernization. These efforts ensure that the OTC can maintain up-to-date capabilities and infrastructure to support its testing mission.

Test Technology Sustainment is another critical objective, focusing on maintaining and updating the test assets and technology infrastructure used by the OTC. This includes scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, replacement of non-serviceable assets, and modifications to extend asset life. The program also supports the expertise required to employ modeling and simulation tools, reduce the need for live unit participation, and sustain data collection and analysis tools. This includes video capture equipment and cyber security measures in accordance with the Risk Management Framework (RMF).

The FY 2026 budget reflects reductions in advisory and assistance services and civilian personnel, in line with government efficiency initiatives and workforce optimization directives. Despite these reductions, the program remains focused on supporting high-priority testing activities and sustaining the technological and human resources necessary for effective operational testing.