Description: Operational testing (OT) is key to informing warfighters whether their system is operationally effective and suitable, and if OT is unable to adapt to the rapidly changing world, the relevance of what OT can accomplish will diminish. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) is the Air Force’s independent test agency with a mission to inform the warfighter and acquisition through operational test. AFOTEC evaluates the capability of systems to meet Warfighter needs. From concept development to system fielding, AFOTEC evaluates a system’s overall operational mission capability under realistic conditions. AFOTEC’s mission requires lock-step efforts with acquisition partners focused on shortening the combat capability delivery timeline. The new strategic approach from Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Charles Q. Brown, includes a push for the Air Force to accelerate change that can be extended to the acquisition process, and operational testing in particular.

This presentation will describes how AFOTEC Detachment 5 executes operational test for an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) agile software-intensive, incremental acquisition program tailored from a scaled agile framework. Mr. Gregg Garrison will describe the agile acquisition structure supported, acquisition and test battle rhythm, and illustrate the processes the team uses to determine the appropriate level and scope of test for each system under test for incremental capability. He will show how conducting risk assessments, defining capability releases, and assessing minimum acceptable capability are useful concepts in determining the appropriate level and scope of OT to inform rapid software acquisition program and fielding decisions. The session will include an opportunity for attendees to ask Gregg questions.