The Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) oversees operational and live fire test and evaluation for the Defense Department.  DOT&E assesses, independently and impartially, both test adequacy and the operational effectiveness, suitability, survivability and, where appropriate, lethality of the system or capability being tested.  What distinguishes operational T&E from other types of test and evaluation is the focus on determining system / capability performance when in the hands of real warfighters, operating as a unit, to accomplish the missions they would execute in the real world while facing realistic threats and conditions.

The Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation was created by Congress in 1983.  The Director, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, reports directly to the Secretary of Defense and the Congress.  DOT&E may place any acquisition program under oversight.  For those programs under oversight, DOT&E reviews and approves test plans; analyzes operational assessment, integrated test, live fire and operational test activities and results; and provides comprehensive reports to the Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition & Sustainment) and the relevant Service acquisition executives.  DOT&E also is responsible for issuing DoD operational test and evaluation policy and procedures; and advising the Secretary of Defense on OT&E requirements, including infrastructure, tools and human resources, and investment.

For more details on the statutes that govern DOT&E, please visit the Legislation page.  To see DOT&E’s charter, click here.  To read DOT&E’s congressionally mandated Annual Report on operational test and evaluation activities, results, trends and requirements, please visit the Annual Report page.  

DOT&E is committed to ensuring that DOD’s test and evaluation community and ecosystem are ready to support delivery of the world’s most advanced warfighting capabilities at the speed of need.  As the warfighter’s unbiased advocate, our goal is simple: Provide the women and men defending our nation combat-credible systems that accomplish the mission and enable them to return home safely.