Test & Evaluation Science & Technology

The Test and Evaluation Science and Technology (T&E/S&T) program, under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is designed to advance test technologies in alignment with evolving weapons systems. Its primary goal is to ensure that the Department of Defense can adequately test advanced systems, thereby enhancing the lethality and resilience of U.S. military capabilities. This initiative supports the National Defense Strategy by focusing on exploiting new technologies, expediting their transition from laboratories to testing environments, and leveraging industry advancements in equipment and simulation.

The Nuclear Test project within this program aims to address national test capability gaps by developing robust solutions for modernizing the nuclear enterprise. It focuses on deploying capabilities to validate new designs and materials in complex environments. The project supports the development of strategic roadmaps for nuclear test environments, ensuring system suitability and survivability against emerging threats. This involves creating microelectronics resilience assessments and enhancing flight test ranges for comprehensive testing.

The High Speed Systems Test (HSST) project is dedicated to developing technologies that enable accurate testing of high-speed weapon systems, such as hypersonic missiles. It addresses deficiencies in current national test capabilities by providing solutions for propulsion, aerodynamic, and aerothermal testing. The HSST project also focuses on advancing ground test facilities like the Hypersonic Aerothermal and Propulsion Clean-Air Testbed (HAPCAT) and supporting flight tests through innovative platforms like SkyRange, which enhances data collection capabilities for hypersonic systems.

The Spectrum Efficient Technology (SET) project seeks to optimize the use of RF spectrum resources amid increasing data requirements for weapon systems testing. By developing technologies for networked telemetry and expanding into non-traditional RF bands, SET aims to maximize spectrum efficiency at Department of Defense test ranges. This includes transitioning cellular technologies for aeronautical telemetry and advancing phased array telemetry antenna technologies to support extensive test events across multiple flight corridors.