Operational Test and Evaluation Force

Operational Test and Evaluation Force
Operational Test and Evaluation Force
	File:Cotflogo.jpg Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) Insignia
Active	December, 1947 – Present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Systems Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E)
Part of	United States Fleet Forces Command (USFLTFORCOM)
Garrison/HQ	Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia
Commanders
Current; commander	Rear Admiral Stephen S. Voetsch

The Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) of the United States Navy provides an independent and objective evaluation of the operational effectiveness and suitability of naval aviation, surface warfare, submarine warfare, C4I, cryptologic, and space systems in support of Department of Defense and U.S. Navy acquisition and fleet introduction decision-making.

Although listed as Task Force 142 under the United States Fleet Forces Command, the naval component of the U.S. Joint Forces Command, OPTEVFOR is the nominal control of the Chief of Naval Operation (CNO).

Historical Background

OPTEVFOR traces its origins to the final months of World War II when the need arose for an effective means to combat Japanese kamikaze attacks. On 2 July 1945, the Composite Task Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, was formed to develop tactics and evaluate equipment to counter the Kamikazes. This force was commanded by Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee, USN, and consisted of miscellaneous types of combatant ships with supporting aircraft drone control groups.

When World War II ended, the Composite Task Force was consolidated with other fleet units doing development work and in December 1947 was re-designated the Operational Development Force (OPDEVFOR). In the early years, te Force Commander flew his flag on the USS Adirondack (AGC 15). In 1949, the command moved ashore to the Norfolk Naval Base.

During the ensuing years, changes were made to the mission and tasks to provide wider responsibilities in operational test and evaluation, such as the fation of the Tactical Development Group. Changes were also made in the organizational structure in order to expand test and evaluation capabilities. A subordinate command was also formed within the Pacific Fleet. In May 1959, the command was renamed Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) to reflect more accurately its increased responsibilities. The Force Headquarters was moved to its present location, off Terminal Boulevard beside the CINCLANTFLT Headquarters, in 1960.

From its inception until the early 1970s, OPTEVFOR was an operational command reporting to CINCLANTFLT. Its mission was primarily concerned with fleet introduction of new weapons systems, including operational test and evaluation and development of tactics.

However, in 1971 OPTEVFOR was designated the Navy's sole independent agency for operational test and evaluation. This move was in response to Congressional and Secretary of Defense initiatives aimed at improving the defense material acquisition process. The command retained its former responsibilities and added the new ones of making early, independent assessments of operational suitability during the Research and Development (R&D) process. In keeping with these new responsibilities, which moved OPTEVFOR's participation ahead of the production decision, the Force Commander (COMOPTEVFOR) began reporting directly to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).

A Deputy COMOPTEVFOR, Pacific, was located the San Diego Naval Base and maintained liaison with CINCPACFLT, type, functional, and support commanders; and when directed, heads of Pacific shore activities engaged in development work, including contractors. He administered, coordinated, and supervised projects being prosecuted in the Pacific Fleet areas as directed by COMOPTEVFOR and prepared proposed project plans and reports. When requested by CINCPACFLT, he rendered assistance for Pacific Fleet projects. COMOPTEVFOR, Pacific was disestablished in June 1993.

Command Structure

The Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) is responsibe to the execution and efficiency of OPTEVFOR's mission. As the single, empowered Operational Test authority designated by Chief of Naval Operations, COMOPTEVFOR makes major decisions, establishes policy, and liaison with senior and subordinate commands from all branches of DOD regarding operational test issues.

The Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff handles the day-to-day operations of the Force for the Commander and directs the Flag Staff in all support roles facilitating the Commander's mission execution.

The Assistant Chief of Staff for Administration is double hatted as the Commanding Officer, Staff. In this assignment he reports to the Chief of Staff and is tasked with ensuring the good order and discipline of the staff and oversight of command managed non operational programs.

Responsiilities

COMOPTEVFOR provides policy direction, technical and procedural guidance, and financial support for the independent and objective evaluation of the operational effectiveness and suitability at the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations. For operational control of fleet units, COMOPTEVFOR reports to CINCPACFLT, CINCLANTFLT, and CINCUSNAVEUR.

To permit OPTEVFOR to carry out its mission, it must closely follow all R&D programs of the Navy material establishment and in [[Office of Naval Research|Navy laboratories]. CNO authorized direct liaison between COMOPTEVFOR and the heads of developing agencies for all technical matters relating to Navy research, development, test and evaluation. The staff of COMOPTEVFOR is organized along flexible lines which give primary consideration to type of warfare and project administration. Evaluation of equipment and systems is carried out by personnel with experience in the type of equipment or warfare over which their divisions have cognizance.

In addition, OPTEVFOR exercises operational control over four aircraft squadrons that conduct operational test and evaluation programs:

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX-1) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
U.S. Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty-Two (VMX-22) at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station New River
U.S Marine Helicopter Test and Evaluation Squadron One (HMX-1) at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico

OPTEVFOR also maintains a detachment at the SPAWAR Systems Center Liaison Office in San Diego Naval Base, California.

OPTEVFOR coordinates test and evaluation activities with the operational test agencies of the other services and with the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, who establishes operational test policy for the Defense Department.

Organization

Administration Division

The Administration Division provides administrative support to the staff. This support includes command security issues and all facets of command administration.

COMOPTEVFOR Command Administration Section - The mission of command administration section is to provide customer service for pay, personnel records, medical, dental, and associated matters. Command admin maintains receipts/transfers, processes leave papers, maintains the staff data base, updates various listings (recall, phone books, social rosters, etc.), publishes the plan of the day, and is the primary liaison between the command and the Personnel Support Detachment. The mailroom is responsible for incoming and outgoing mail, correspondence serialization/maintenance, and maintains the central files/directives for the command.
Security Division
Facility Section - The facilities section is to maintain and preserve the headquarters building, gym, grounds, and equipment within the OPTEVFOR headquarters area.
Logistics and Supply Section - The Staff Supply Section provides support for all supplies, equipment and maintenance needs of the Staff. The Travel section processes all travel requests, liquidates travel claims and provides assistance to Force travelers on all travel issues. The Force Contracting Section is responsible for ensuring all appropriate vehicles are in place to obtain critical analytical, information resources and facilities maintenance support.
Information Resources Section - The mission of the COMOPTEVFOR Information Resources (IR) Division is to provide information resources support to the COMOPTEVFOR staff. The IR Division assists the staff with current and planned automated information systems (AIS), technology and office automation, and telecommunications. Specifically, the IR Division provides hardware and software support, provides configuration control and management, performs requirements analysis and system analysis, prepares design recommendations, implements recommended solutions, initiates approved hardware and software procurements, conducts user training, and issues consumable supplies. Direct support is currently provided to approximately 450 users at headquarters. Limited remote support is provided to the staffs of the following:
- AIRTEVRON 1 - Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1
- AIRTEVRON 9 - Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9,
- AIRTEVRON 9 Detachment ..
Training Division - The mission of the training section is to provide staff and subordinate command members quality General Military Training as well as that which is acquisition specific. A continuum approach to training is employed to ensure personnel receive the necessary introductory, basic level, and follow-on training needed to successfully execute their duties. Training also obtains quotas for personnel at other training sites and maintains a training data base for record purposes. Information and guidance on advancement and off-duty education is also available through the training division
Comptroller - The Comptroller/Resource Management Division has a diverse support role for the Force. The Finance section is responsible for the planning, programming and budgeting of fiscal resources to support the execution of Operational Test and Evaluation of the Navy's aviation, surface, subsurface, and C4I systems.

Undersea Warfare Division

Tests and evaluates all undersea warfare systems, including submarine, surface and aviation anti-submarine warfare and mine warfare systems under the most operationally realistic conditions possible. From the Virginia SSN-774 Class Attack Submarine to the Acoustic Rapid COTS Insertion (ARCI) sonar system, the Navy’s dominance of undersea warfare is continually evolving. The division’s main effort is to assist, through early involvement, in the acquisition process followed by proper tests and accurate evaluations to determine system performance and resulting capability.

Administrative Support - This section is responsible for providing a myriad administrative and personnel support services to the division including but not limited to: test document quality control, travel liaison, personnel evaluations, security clearances and faxing.
Submarine ASW - This section is responsible for the operational testing and evaluation of all submarine-based anti-submarine warfare systems.
Surface/Air ASW - This section is responsible for operationally testing and evaluation of all surace and aerial anti-submarine warfare systems.
Mine Warfare - This section is responsible for the operationally testing and evaluation of all mine warfare systems.
Platforms System - This section is responsible for operationally testing all anti-submarine warfare and related systems.
C4I and Wires - The C4I and ires team is responsible for operationally testing submarine C4I systems.

Aviation Warfare Division

The Aviation Warfare Division is responsible for the planning and execution of operational testing and evaluation of the Navy and Marine Corps' aviation acquisition programs, assessing their operational effectiveness and operational suitability. Testing of these projects occurs at the following field activities:

VX-1 (Patuxent River, Maryland)
VX-9 (China Lake, California); VX-9 Det (Port Mugu, California)
HMX-1 (Quantico, Virginia)

These programs include strike/fighter weapon systems, assault weapon systems, aviation electronic warfare systems, air antisubmarine warfare systems, aviation maintenance systems, and trainer systems.

Air Weapons Systems – This section is responsible for air-to-ground missile, air-to-air missiles, and mission planning programs.
Avionics and Support Systems - This section is responsible for aviation maintenance related programs ashore and afloat, Joint programs, as well as team efforts with VX-9.
Air Electronic Warfare Programs - This section is responsible for Navy and Marine Corps aviation electronic warfare programs, working closely with VX-1, VX-9, VX-9 DET, [[AFOTEC], and OPTEC.
Air C4I & Trainer Systems - This section is responsible for E-2C airborne early warning systems and related programs like Cooperative Engagement Capability), AV-8B, C-2A(r) Block upgrade/SLEP and trainer systems programs, with extensive use of fleet operators as trusted agents providng a unique fleet perspective to E-2C flight test evolutions.
Carrier and Amphibious Support - This section is responsible for all Navy and Marine Corps helicopter programs and Navy fixed-wing Air ASW. Programs include assault support helicopters, fixed-wing and rotary-wing air ASW, combat support helicopters, CSAR, airborne mine warfare programs and V-22 Osprey, as well as providing insight into Marine Corps aviation roles and missions.
Future Programs – This section works closely with requirements officers, program offices, and contractors on future pojects and systems.
Modeling, Simulation and Analysis - This section provides analytical support and technical advice on modeling and simulation issues for operational testing throughout the Aviation Warfare Division, working closely with Operation Test Coordinators (OTCs), Operation Test Directors (OTDs), Aviation Warfare Program Offices and industry contractors on operational test plans, model and simulation accreditation and test analysis.

C4I & Space Division

The Command and Control Division is responsible for the planning and execution of operational testing and evaluation of the Navy's ashore and afloat command, control, communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) systems. These systems include radars, radio frequency transmitters/receivers, digital switching networks, identification friend or foe, tactical decision-making systems, intelligence systems, combat direction systems, tactical links, information warfare systems, cryptologic systems, space and satellite systems, and non-tactical automated information systems.

Tactical Data and Support - This section performs operational testing and evaluation for ashore and afloat tactical data systems, tactical link systems, and tactical training systems. It has early involvement with advanced networks, such as FORCEnet and JTF WARnet (Wide Area Relay Network). It This section also monitors the Enhanced Position Location Report System-Data Radio (EPLIRS-DR) and Integrated Communication and Advanced Networks (ICANS). This section also assists in the CVN-21, LPD-17 Mode V, SPN-53 and CPX programs.
Command, Control, (C2) and Intelligence - This section performs operational testing and evaluation for ashore and afloat command and control systems, intelligence and imagery systems, tactical information management, decision support, and METOC systems.
Information Warfare - This section performs operational testing and evaluation for ashore and afloat information warfare systems, such as AN/SLQ-32A(v) systems, AIEWS, NULKA Active Electronic Decoy, Giant IR Decoy, RAIDS, COBLU, COMBAT DF, BGPHES/CDL-N, TROLL, SSEE, OPINTEL, TACINTEL, Privateer, and all UAV programs.
Software, Modeling, and Simulation Analysis - The software, modeling, and simulation analysis Section is responsible to the Operational Test Director (OTD) for all analytical aspects of planning and evaluating the operational testing of C4I systems, including development of critical operational issues, measures of effectiveness, suitability, and compliance with acquisition regulations. The analysts also provide a knowledge base for testing methods, practices, and acquisition policy. Specific evaluation methods are applied for modeling and simulation and software assessment. These processes ensure the OTD benefits from the best inventory of test methods and evaluation tools.
Automated Information Operations - This section performs operational test and evaluation for ashore and afloat automated information systems.
Terrestrial Communications and Radar Systems - This section performs operational testing and evaluation for ashore and afloat communication sytems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), and radar systems.
Space and Navigation Systems - This section performs operational testing and evaluation for ashore and afloat communication systems, electronic navigation systems and other space based systems.
COTF Pacific (San Diego SPAWAR Detachment) - The OPTEVFOR Pacific Detachment (San Diego / SPAWAR Liaison Office) was established in early 1995 to provide on-site operational test expertise in operational test and evaluation (OT&E) policy, planning, execution, and documentation to assist system developers and Program Managers located in the southern California area.

Surface Warfare Division

The Surface Warfare Division responsible for the planning and execution of operational test and evaluation of U. S. Navy surface ships and associated engineering, auxiliary, combat systems, as well as systems developed under the U. S. Coast Guard Deepwater acquisition.

Area Air Defense Section - This section is responsible for planning and executing operational testing and evaluation of U.S. Navy medium-range and long-range air defense systems.
Point Defense Systems - This section is responsible for planning and executing the operational testing and evaluation of U. S. Navy short-range air and surface defense systems.
Total Ship Combatant/Combat Logistics Force (CLF) - This section is responsible for planning and executing of the operational testing and evaluation of surface combatants and strategic sealift ships.
The Naval Surface Strike - This section is responsible for the planning and execution of the operational testing and evaluation of cruise missiles, associated fire control systems, and the DD(X).
The Total Ship Amphib - This section is responsible for planning and executing the operational testing and evaluation of amphibious warfare ships.
U. S. Coast Guard Deepwater System]] - This section is responsible for planning and executing the operational testing and evaluation of U.S. Coast Guard's surface, aviation, command and control, and logistics assets developed as part of its Integrated Deepwater System Program.