Test & Evaluation Science & Technology

The Test and Evaluation Science and Technology (T&E/S&T) Program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is designed to advance test technologies that keep pace with rapidly evolving weapons systems and national security threats. The program's overarching goal is to ensure the Department of Defense (DoD) maintains readiness to test and field emerging technologies by developing, demonstrating, and transitioning high-payoff test capabilities. T&E/S&T activities include exploiting new technologies, expediting laboratory-to-field transitions, leveraging industry advances, and engaging academia to address test technology challenges. The program aligns with DoD science and technology priorities and supports the development and demonstration of advanced technologies for current and future test needs.

Project 090: Nuclear Test focuses on closing national test capability gaps for the modernized nuclear enterprise. Its objectives include developing robust, accurate, and efficient test and evaluation solutions to validate new nuclear designs and materials, particularly in complex, threat-representative environments. The project addresses limitations in legacy test infrastructure and methodologies, supporting the development of strategic roadmaps for nuclear test environments, microelectronics resilience, and flight test range enhancements. Key efforts involve maturing test technologies related to electromagnetic pulse testing, neutron testing, single event effects, and combined nuclear effects, all aimed at ensuring system suitability and survivability in nuclear scenarios.

Project 091: High Speed Systems Test is dedicated to supporting the development and testing of hypersonic and high-speed weapon systems, such as air-breathing missiles and boost-glide vehicles. The project's goals include modernizing ground test facilities, expanding flight test capabilities, and developing advanced instrumentation and modeling tools. Notable initiatives include converting RQ-4 and MQ-9 aircraft into specialized telemetry collection platforms and accelerating hypersonic experimentation through commercial launch partnerships. Congressional adds in FY24 supported enhanced hypersonic testing capabilities, including collaboration with NASA and space-based telemetry advancements.

Project 092: Spectrum Efficient Technology addresses the challenge of increasing data requirements for weapon systems amid decreasing availability of radio frequency spectrum for test and evaluation. The project develops technologies for efficient use of legacy telemetry bands and expansion into new radio frequency and optical spectrum areas. Efforts include airborne cellular transceivers for high-throughput data, phased array antennas for autonomous tracking, and integration of 5G radios for test missions. The project also advances spectrum management tools to optimize telemetry assignments and link performance, supporting hypersonic weapon system development and broader DoD test range operations.

Project 093: Electronic Warfare Test aims to enhance the DoD's ability to test offensive and defensive electronic warfare systems against advanced radio frequency and electro-optic threats. The project develops technologies for high-fidelity simulation and stimulation of electronic warfare sensors, scene generation for infrared and radar environments, and hardware-in-the-loop facilities for complex threat scenarios. Investments focus on cognitive electronic warfare, artificial intelligence integration, and expanding open-air range capabilities for large-scale, realistic electronic warfare testing. These technologies are critical for assessing missile warning systems, countermeasures, and advanced threat sensors in evolving battlespace conditions.

Project 094: Advanced Instrumentation Systems Technology develops miniaturized, non-intrusive instrumentation suites for emerging weapon systems, supporting both hardware-in-the-loop and open-air range testing. The project's objectives include advanced sensors, time-space-position information instrumentation, energy and power systems, and warfighter performance measurement. Key initiatives involve developing technologies for GPS-denied environments, deep ocean sensor deployment, and acoustic measurement systems for high-speed flight tests. These efforts enable comprehensive data collection and analysis for new munitions, unmanned systems, and multi-domain operations.

Project 112: MACH-TB (Multi-Service Advanced Capability for Hypersonics Test Bed) is a new start in FY26, with the goal of accelerating hypersonic flight test cadence and experimentation. MACH-TB leverages commercial space launch services and reusable test vehicles to provide affordable, rapid hypersonic testing for DoD, other federal agencies, industry, and academia. FY26 funding supports acquisition of long-lead hardware and launch service agreements, aiming to achieve a significant increase in hypersonic flight tests per year. This initiative is central to the Department's strategy for delivering advanced hypersonic and strategic capabilities to the warfighter.