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Weapon Performance: Operational Test and Evaluation Can Contribute More to Decisionmaking

NSIAD-87-57 Published: Dec 23, 1986. Publicly Released: Feb 04, 1987.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO reported on operational test and evaluation (OT&E) as a means of testing weapon system performance, specifically: (1) its historical adequacy since 1970; and (2) its limitations concerning recently deployed major weapon systems.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should enforce the requirement that operational testing: (1) be done in as operationally realistic an environment as possible; and (2) not be performed unless there are clearly stated test objectives and criteria.
Closed – Implemented
In March 1990, GAO issued a report on the Department of Defense (DOD) OT&E Capability Improvement Program. GAO recommended that the services plan, program, and budget for test resources. By April 1991, GAO will issue a fact statement on the Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program. GAO will continue to evaluate DOD test resource needs in the future.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should improve the usefulness of OT&E results by the services' OT&E agencies by requiring the agencies to: (1) state whether OT&E demonstrated that the system met operational requirements; (2) discuss the operational effect of significant test limitations and adverse test results on system performance; and (3) clearly state whether a system is operationally suitable and effective.
Closed – Not Implemented
GAO has a continuing interest in the usefulness of OT&E results. In May 1990, GAO issued a report on the need for DOD to plan and conduct more timely OT&E. GAO will evaluate the DOD response to the May 1990 report.

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Topics

Evaluation methodsMilitary materielReporting requirementsSystems evaluationTestingWeapons systemsOperational testingMilitary forcesDevelopmental testingAircraft acquisition program