Support of Operational Testing

Mission — ATEC Activities source

This Project provides funding to the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) to operate the Operational Test Command (OTC) which conducts independent operational tests that provide significant data to Army decision makers on key systems in support of the Army's transformation priorities. These operational tests are required by public law (Title 10 USC 2399). This Project finances recurring costs for OTC that are essential to conduct realistic and continuous testing in the critical areas of equipment, doctrine, force design and training. These recurring costs include civilian pay, requirements for test support contracts, sustainment of test technology, network support, training, supplies, equipment, and temporary duty travel. OTC consists of four forward Test Directorates (Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Air and Missile Defense Test Directorate, Fort Bliss, Texas; Fires Support Test Directorate, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and the Intelligence Electronic Warfare Test Directorate, Fort Huachuca, Arizona) together with four additional Test Directorates (Aviation; Maneuver; Mission Command; Maneuver Support and Sustainment) and OTC Headquarters at Fort Cavazos, Texas. These activities support the development and fielding cycle of all Army acquisition programs including rapid fielding initiatives in support of the Army's Transformation Initiatives. The primary mission of these test directorates is to perform detailed planning, execution, and reporting of Customer Tests, Early User Tests, Limited User Tests (LUT), Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOTE), and Follow-On Operational Tests (FOT) in support of the Army's Signature Transformation Efforts. OTC also supports Army Futures Command's Soldier Touch Points and other early assessments of potential new systems the Army seeks to acquire in support of Army transformation. Funding provides essential sustainment of models, simulations, and instrumentation for operational testing of airborne/aviation systems, mission command systems, fires systems, intelligence systems, real-time casualty assessment (RTCA), and common live-virtual-constructive (LVC) tools.

Mission — Support of Operational Testing source

This funding line supports testing of Army Transformation Priority Programs. This Program Element (PE) provides resources to the United States (U.S.) Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) to operate the Army's Operational Test Command (OTC). OTC conducts independent operational tests that provide significant data to Army decision-makers on key Army systems and concepts. This PE finances recurring costs for OTC that are essential for conducting realistic and continuous testing in the critical areas of equipment, doctrine, force design and training. These recurring costs include civilian pay, requirements for test support contracts, sustainment of test technology, network support, temporary duty, training, supplies, and equipment. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $5.863 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative." The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.46 million for civilian personnel to optimize the workforce in compliance with Executive Order 14210, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative."

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (3)