Weapons Testing: Quality of DOD Operational Testing and Reporting

GAO discussed the Department of Defense's (DOD): (1) operational testing and evaluation of six weapon systems; and (2) reporting of the test results to Congress. GAO found that: (1) testing and evaluation were inadequate due to significant planning, execution, realism, and analysis limitations; (2) DOD often significantly altered test plans after initial approval, resulting in a reduction of realism that favored the system tested; (3) contractor personnel and consultants conducted on-site monitoring of systems testing; (4) simulated combat stress for personnel and equipment were inadequate, since personnel were familiar with the test range; and (5) DOD tested new weapon systems against much older systems. GAO also found that DOD: (1) omitted relevant information concerning test limitations in its report to Congress; and (2) did not provide any evidence to support its overall assessments of the systems' capabilities.