Test and Evaluation Support

The Test and Evaluation Support program (PE 0605807F) is a critical element of the Air Force's Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support budget. Its primary goal is to provide the resources necessary for the operation, sustainment, and modernization of the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) and its associated test activities, which are part of the Department of Defense's Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB). The program supports a comprehensive array of test facilities, including wind tunnels, engine test cells, hypersonic and subsonic testing environments, modeling and simulation capabilities, environmental simulation chambers, armament ranges, and specialized test aircraft and equipment. These resources are essential for the development, evaluation, and fielding of advanced weapon systems and technologies.

Within the program, Project 6606TG: 704th Test Group focuses on supporting unique test infrastructure and capabilities at several key locations. The 704th Test Group operates the Central Inertial and Global Positioning System Test Facility (CIGTF), the Holloman High Speed Test Track (HHSTT), and the National Radar Cross Section Test Facility (NRTF), among others. The objectives of this project include providing independent test and evaluation of navigation and guidance systems, conducting high-speed and live-fire testing, and measuring radar cross sections for low observable targets.

The 704th Test Group also supports advanced avionics and weapons development, coordinates Air Force test operations at White Sands Missile Range, and provides specialized test support for the Air Force Research Lab's Directed Energy Division. Funding for the 704th Test Group is divided into civilian pay and non-pay categories. Civilian pay supports personnel who conduct testing for the Department of Defense, other government agencies, foreign military sales, and commercial weapon systems. The FY 2026 budget reflects a reduction in civilian pay due to workforce optimization initiatives and compliance with executive orders aimed at increasing government efficiency.

Non-pay funding supports operational activities such as aircraft operations, flying hour programs, contracted services, test equipment and supplies, general maintenance, and utilities. The FY 2026 request includes an increase in support for hypersonics testing, reflecting the growing importance of this technology area.

The Project 6606TS: Test and Evaluation Support line item provides broader institutional support for the three main AFTC test wings: Arnold Engineering and Development Complex (AEDC) at Arnold AFB, the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, and the 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB. AEDC operates the world's largest complex of ground test facilities, including advanced wind tunnels and space environmental chambers. The 412th Test Wing supports weapons system development and operational testing for a wide range of aircraft and aerospace systems, and also houses the USAF Test Pilot School. The 96th Test Wing operates a joint test and training complex supporting developmental and operational testing of non-nuclear air armaments, C5ISR systems, and special operations aircraft.

The goals of the 6606TS project include ensuring the readiness and modernization of test infrastructure, supporting the full spectrum of test operations, and maintaining a highly skilled civilian workforce. The budget funds civilian pay for personnel across the three test wings and the Test Pilot School, with adjustments made for workforce optimization and efficiency initiatives. Operational support funding covers aircraft operations, depot maintenance, contracted services, test equipment, utilities, and the sustainment of test aircraft.

The FY 2026 budget includes increases for developmental test aircraft capacity, F-35 maintenance, and the integration of the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE), which aims to enhance system utility, realism, and interoperability by linking real-world ranges with advanced simulation capabilities. A key justification for the Test and Evaluation Support program is its role in enabling the Air Force to meet major defense acquisition milestones and support technology maturation projects.

The program ensures that test facilities and personnel are available to validate new technologies, assess system performance, and support the rapid development and deployment of advanced weapon systems. The inclusion of new hypersonic test capabilities and expanded simulation environments reflects the Air Force's focus on emerging threats and the need for robust test and evaluation infrastructure.