Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com and technology development to provide data to assist in determining safety and health hazards and establishing system performance specifications and feasibility. (3) Engineering development test. An engineering development test is a developmental test typically conducted d u r i n g s y s t e m d e v e l o p m e n t a n d d e m o n s t r a t i o n t o p r o v i d e d a t a o n p e r f o r m a n c e , s a f e t y , N B C s u r v i v a b i l i t y , t h e achievability of a system’s critical technical parameters, refinement and ruggedization of hardware configurations, and determination of technical risks.
The engineering development test includes the testing of compatibility and inter- operability with existing or planned equipment and systems and the system effects caused by natural and induced environmental conditions. (4) Production prove-out test. A production prove-out test is a developmental test conducted during system acquis- tion (post-MS B and before production testing with prototype hardware) for the selected design alternative.
The PPT is usually performed at the subsystem level and provides data on safety, NBC survivability, the achievability of critical technical parameters, refinement and ruggedization of hardware and software configurations, and determination of technical risks. (5) Production qualification test. A production qualification test is a system-level DT conducted post-MS C that ensures design integrity over the specified operational and environmental range. It must be completed using low-rate initial production (LRIP) assets, when available, prior to the FRP decision review (see the Defense Acquisition Guidebook).
(a) The PQT normally uses prototype or pre-production hardware and software fabricated to the proposed produc- tion design specifications and drawings. Such tests include contractual reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) demonstration tests required before production release. (b) The software PQT is essentially the same as the PQT for materiel systems and may have been designated as an SQT for C4I/IT systems in the past. It is a system-level DT conducted post-MS C that ensures design integrity over the specified operational and environmental range, and serves the same purpose.
The objectives of the SQT are to obtain Government confirmation that the design will meet performance and operational requirements and to determine the adequacy and timeliness of any corrective action indicated by previous testing. System users participate in the technical and functional aspects of the test. (c) The objectives of the PQT are to obtain Government confirmation that the design will meet the performance and user requirements and to assess the performance envelope. It is also used to determine the adequacy and timeliness of any corrective action indicated by previous tests and to validate the manufacturer’s facilities, procedures, and processes.
(d) For C4I/IT, before OTs can begin, the developing agency must prepare an Independent Government DT Report that formally certifies that the system is ready for the next dedicated phase of OT&E to be conducted by USATEC. The developing agency will establish maturity criteria and performance exit criteria necessary for certification to proceed to OT. In support of this, risk management measures and indicators, with associated thresholds, that address performance and technical adequacy of both hardware and software, will be defined and used on each program. A mission impact analysis of criteria and thresholds that have not been met will be completed prior to certification for OT.
Live-data files will be used, supplemented with user prepared data, and executed on target hardware. Conversion procedures and special training requirements are introduced as additional elements for verification and validation. (e) The PQT may also include tests that are not included in the contract (such as, environmental extremes and test- to-failure) when such tests are necessary to obtain engineering data to verify corrective action and to support a materiel release to the field or other purposes. The PQT may be accomplished in phases. (6) Live Fire Testing and Evaluation. Section 2366, title 10, U.S.
Code, requires LFT&E (realistic survivability testing and/or lethality testing) of covered systems, major munitions programs, or missile programs, and product improvement of covered systems, major munitions programs, or missile programs before proceeding beyond LRIP. See DOD the Defense Acquisition Guidebook for a definition of covered systems and details of the statutory requirements. The following Army guidance implements DOD policy: (a) Live Fire Testing is a series of vulnerability and lethality tests that generally start with component/subsystem level tests followed by full-up system level Live Fire Tests (see the Defense Acquisition Guidebook).
(b) Vulnerability testing must address crew, hardware, and system (crew, software, and hardware) vulnerability for threats and impact conditions likely to be encountered in combat. Lethality testing must address lethality against the threat systems by firing the munitions or missile at appropriate targets configured for combat or targets comparable with such targets. (c) Vulnerability and lethality testing must be conducted sufficiently early in system development to allow signifi- cant design deficiencies demonstrated by the testing to be corrected in the design of the system, munitions, or missile before proceeding to full-rate production.
The costs of all tests for vulnerability and lethality must be paid from funds for the system being tested. (d) Prior to program initiation, the MATDEV notifies the Army T&E Executive through TEMA, if the program is a LFT&E program. If a PM has not been identified, the acquisition team provides this notification. (e) Before testing begins, the TEMP (containing the LFT&E strategy), Event Design Plan (EDP), and a Detailed Test Plan (DTP) will be submitted through TEMA for the Army T&E Executive submission to DOT&E, as required. Within the Army, the EDP and DTP satisfy the requirement for the T&E plan. 18 AR 73–1 • 1 August 2006