Necessary DoD Range Capabilities to Ensure Operational Superiority of U.S. Defense Systems: Testing for the Future Fight

Rigorous operational testing (OT) of weapon systems procured by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is fundamental to ensuring that these sophisticated systems not only meet their stated requirements, but also perform under realistic operational conditions when faced by determined adversaries employing their own highly capable offensive and defensive weaponry. Without adequate OT, operational commanders would be unable to make the most effective use of their capability and warfighters would lack confidence in the weapons they bring to the fight or, worse, may inadvertently put themselves in harm’s way because they do not have a fundamental understanding of their weapons’ capabilities and limitations. DoD’s test and training range enterprise provides the geography, infrastructure, technology, expertise, processes, and management that make safe, secure, and comprehensive OT possible. However, the range enterprise, along with the talented and committed range workforce that makes the system function, is under great stress. Unless prompt action is taken to address both longstanding and emerging challenges, including test capacity, modernization, digital infrastructure, encroachment, and resources, DoD’s ranges will be unable to support timely or adequate OT in the future. The challenges facing the nation’s range infrastructure are both increasing and accelerating. Limited test capacity in physical resources and workforce, the age of test infrastructure, the capability to test advanced technologies, and encroachment impact the ability to inform system performance, integrated system performance, and the overall pace of testing. Investments in the U.S. test infrastructure and changes in test and evaluation (T&E) methodologies and handling of data are necessary to inform the delivery of lethal, survivable, reliable, and affordable weapon systems to the field at a speed that is relevant to the operational need. This study draws on testimony from senior military officers and officials from operational, acquisition, and test backgrounds as well as on test and training experts, leading technologists, leaders from relevant commercial enterprises, and individuals with deep experience in DoD and congressional budget processes. The study committee conducted virtual and physical site visits to a representative sample of test ranges; collected test range inputs on modernization, sustainment, operations, and resource challenges; and reviewed prior studies and reports from the office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), the military service test organizations, and the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). This report makes a set of interdependent recommendations that the committee believes will put the DoD range enterprise on a modernization trajectory to meet the needs of OT in the years ahead.