From mounting platoons on motorcycles in the 1970s,
to the infamous "fast food" T-rations of the '80s, to
heavy equipment transporters and desert mobility vehicle
systems of the '90s, rapid and enduring advances in
technology continue to propel sustainment operations to
meet the requirements of an expeditionary force.
But this progress often leaves junior Soldiers on the
battlefield wondering, "Who was the good idea fairy that
decided to upgrade my system?" and senior leaders
questioning, "Who supported the decision to field this
equipment?"
Other questions include, "Who is the trusted agent that
provides an objective eye to innovative military
systems?" and most importantly, "Who implements and
protects the Soldier's perspective in this process?" The
answer to all of these questions is the Army Operational
Test Command (OTC), which is headquartered at Fort Hood,
Texas.
The OTC's mission is to conduct independent operational
testing that promotes acquisition and fielding decisions
while placing Soldiers' perspectives at the forefront of
modernization. OTC is composed of eight directorates
that test the entire gamut of new equipment. One is the
Maneuver Support and Sustainment Test Directorate, which
is divided into two divisions: Maneuver Support and
Sustainment.
These divisions conduct independent operational testing
in support of the Engineer, Chemical, Military Police,
Quartermaster, Transportation, and Ordnance Schools.
Contributions of the Sustainment Division have played a
notable role in shaping the armed forces.
The Army has a growing need to ensure that all fielded
systems and new systems being developed are designed to
work together as a larger family of systems. As the
independent test agency for designated multiservice and
joint systems, the OTC is entrusted to ensure systems
are effective and suitable for use in combat by typical
military users.
OPERATIONAL TEST TYPES
"Operational test" is a generic term that encompasses a
wide range of testing and experimentation conducted in
realistic operational environments with users who are
representative of those expected to operate, maintain,
and support the system when fielded.
Army Regulation 73-1, Test and Evaluation Policy,
categorized tests as early user tests, early user
experiments, limited user tests, initial operational
tests, or follow-on operational tests.
EARLY USER TEST. An early user test employs
representative users during the technology demonstration
phase of the acquisition process. It is normally
performed on prototypes to gain an understanding of the
materiel concept, support planning for training and
logistics, identify interoperability problems, and
identify future testing requirements.
EARLY USER EXPERIMENT. An early user experiment is
conducted to identify potential system-related solutions
and to define issues further addressed within the
acquisition process.
LIMITED USER TEST. A limited user test addresses a small
number of issues identified during the acquisition
process and can be conducted anytime during the
acquisition phase.
INITIAL OPERATIONAL TEST. An initial operational test
serves as the system's "final exam," in which data is
presented on operational effectiveness, suitability, and
survivability of a system when operated by typical users
under realistic conditions.
FOLLOW-ON OPERATIONAL TEST. A follow-on operational test
may be necessary during or after production to refine
estimates made during initial testing. This test may
also provide data to ensure that the system continues to
meet operational needs and retains its effectiveness in
a new environment or against a new threat.
THE TSARC
After choosing the relevant test type, Soldiers,
equipment, and other resources are gathered. The test
schedule and review committee (TSARC) is the method used
to obtain Soldiers and other resources for operational
tests. The TSARC is a process to centralize the
management of resources for operational tests, force
development, or experimentation.
A committee of senior leaders maximizes limited
resources while minimizing the impact on unit
operational readiness. The TSARC, as a decision-making
body, sets operational test priorities, coordinates
troop support, and reviews schedules and resources.
If your unit is chosen to support an operational test,
depending on your perspective, you can either blame or
thank the TSARC.
TACTICAL WHEELED VEHICLE TESTS
Since 2005, the Maneuver Support and Sustainment Test
Directorate has conducted operational tests on almost
every type of tactical truck in the inventory, primarily
in response to urgent need statements for add-on armor.
Sustainment system tests included the heavy equipment
transporter (HET), family of medium tactical vehicles
(FMTV), heavy expanded-mobility tactical truck (HEMTT),
heavy dump truck, and the M915A5 line-haul tractor
truck, which were all undergoing redesign to accommodate
additional armor.
HETs, including the M1070A1 tractor and its associated
M1000 semitrailer, can transport a 140,000-pound M1
Abrams main battle tank. The purpose of the HET
operational test was to confirm that the M1070A1 tractor
design improvements did not hinder its operational
effectiveness and suitability.
FMTV is a group of wheeled vehicles built with a common
truck cab, engine, drive train, and suspension. The
purpose of the FMTV operational test was to assist in
assessing whether selected variants of FMTV vehicles
produced by a particular vendor are effective and
suitable when operated by Soldiers under operational
conditions. The overall test program supported
qualification and verified that the vendor met existing
requirements using primarily an existing design.
The M915A5 answers an urgent need to replace an aged
truck tractor line-haul fleet and provide armor
protection to occupants. A follow-on operational test
was conducted to verify the M915A5 design and its
planned field support for system type classification and
materiel release requirements.
MRAP VEHICLE TEST
Most Soldiers recognize mine-resistant ambush-protected
(MRAP) vehicles, notable for their V-shaped hull and
armor protection. They have been providing security for
expeditionary units since 2008 in Iraq. The initial
fielding of the MRAPs provided a fast solution that
increased survivability and mobility of forces operating
in hazardous fire areas and combat zones laden with
improvised explosive devices.
MRAP variants tested in conjunction with other MRAP
vehicles included the MaxxPro Dash, the Cougar category
II ambulance, the MRAP all-terrain vehicle, and the
MaxxPro recovery vehicle. A test of the MRAP MaxxPro
long wheelbase ambulance will take place in May 2015 at
Yuma Test Center at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
CAMEL II INCREMENT ONE TEST
The purpose of the integrated developmental and
operational limited user test for the unit water pod
system Camel II increment 1 was to evaluate the system's
capabilities in a realistic operational environment when
operated by military occupational specialty (MOS) 92W
(water treatment specialist) Soldiers.
The test assessed the Camel II's ability to provide a
maneuver unit with a one-day supply of potable water
while allowing for a maximum loss of 10 percent.
HUMAN REMAINS TRANSPORT AND DECONTAMINATION
The chemically contaminated human remains transport and
decontamination system consists of two subsystems: the
contaminated human remains pouch A and the mortuary
affairs contaminated remains mitigation site set.
Pouch A is a chemically contaminated human remains
transport system comprising two permanently sealed
internal protective pouches nestled inside an external
transport case.
The mortuary affairs contaminated remains mitigation
site set is a decontamination kit consisting of tentage,
plumbing, heaters, rollers, sensors, medical equipment,
and other items necessary to establish a nonambulatory
decontamination site to decontaminate and package human
remains for transport to the continental United States.
The purpose of this operational test was to identify the
systems' capabilities and limitations with Soldiers
operating the system in a realistic operational
environment in support of the Department of the Army
G-3/5/7 direct requirement.
MODULAR FUEL SYSTEM
Sustainment battalions in the future will benefit from a
modular fuel system that will enable Soldiers who
support mechanics and equipment from a distribution
platoon to act as a resupply unit. As a force
multiplier, the modular fuel system will allow Soldiers
to rapidly establish a fuel distribution and storage
capability at any location, regardless of the
availability of construction or materials-handling
equipment. Test players will include MOS 92F (petroleum
supply specialist) and 91J (quartermaster and chemical
equipment repairer) Soldiers.
BATTLEFIELD KITCHEN
Future tests include the battlefield kitchen, which is
intended to replace the aging mobile kitchen trailer on
a one-for-one basis. It will provide a full-service
field kitchen capability for echelons-above-brigade
units, replacing the legacy mobile kitchen trailers.
The operational outcome is to provide
echelons-above-brigade field feeding teams with a new
kitchen that includes energy-efficient, modular,
closed-combustion appliances and lower cost burners with
thermostatic control to reduce fuel consumption.
Compared to current kitchen systems, the battlefield
kitchen will have the lowest operations and maintenance
cost over the life of the program because of low fuel
requirements and onboard mechanical refrigeration.
JLTV TESTING
A recent 2014 test of the joint light tactical vehicle
(JLTV) at Fort Stewart, Georgia, included 10 prototypes
from three different vendors. Test players included
Soldiers and Marines who maneuvered each vehicle through
a gamut of operational scenarios across 1,200 miles. The
JLTV will protect mobility for joint forces requiring a
range of capabilities beyond those of current up-armored
humvees.
According to the capability development document, the
overall purpose of the JLTV is to restore joint forces'
light tactical mobility, payload, and performance by
providing protection, transportability, mobility,
sustainment, and networking. The JLTV initial operating
test is scheduled for 2017.
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TRAILER
The operational evaluation of the M870A4 40-ton low-bed
semitrailer will consist of a user excursion conducted
at Aberdeen Test Center, Maryland. A user excursion was
selected because of the single operational task required
of a trailer (transporting mission-essential equipment)
and the large number of overlapping tasks between
developmental testing and operational testing.
The semitrailer low-bed construction equipment trailer
directly supports the Military Support to Stabilization,
Security, Transition, and Reconstruction Operations
Joint Operating Concept that is aligned with military
campaigns in pursuit of national strategic objectives in
the 2014 to 2026 time frame.
TEST PROFESSIONALS
Teams are composed of a test officer, an operations
research systems analyst (ORSA), and a research,
development, test, and evaluation (RDTE) noncommissioned
officer (NCO).
TEST OFFICER. Test officers assigned to the Sustainment
Division are charged with planning, resourcing,
executing, and reporting on operational tests of wheeled
vehicles and ordnance, quartermaster, and other support
systems.
A good test officer renders sound acquisition and
military expertise in the operational test design,
planning, execution, and reporting for systems under
testing. Led by the test officer, tests and evaluations
occur worldwide, sometimes in remote areas.
Detailed knowledge of test systems is gained through
extensive technical and doctrinal research. The test
officer must have good oral and written communication
skills in order to articulate test designs to senior
military and Department of Defense civilian leaders.
ORSA. The ORSA is a critical test team member who
provides expertise in producing statistical products to
convey test requirements and provides developmental
input to system and event planning and reporting. ORSAs
assist in developing additional plans and reports, such
as the system evaluation plan, test data report, test
report, and operational evaluation report.
To further shape test requirements, a pattern of
analysis is developed and surveys and questionnaires are
created in conjunction with the data collection plan.
The ORSA, armed with operational research techniques,
statistical modeling, and other quantifiable analysis
tools, develops end-to-end methods and test design plans
to ensure that valid, reliable, and statistically
significant test results are collected, analyzed, and
reported.
RDTE NCO. The backbone and executor of the test design
is the RDTE NCO. This person's responsibilities include
serving as the subject matter expert for the system
being tested, refining operational issues and criteria
for tests, and helping prepare operational test
documentation.
Additional RDTE NCO responsibilities include preparing
test site operations, acquiring resources, supervising
enlisted personnel, ensuring test equipment
accountability, coordinating with external agencies,
assisting in meeting requirements, and functioning as a
unit controller during execution events to ensure player
units follow scenario requirements.
The professional OTC test team, armed with the
knowledge, recommendations, and expertise of operational
Soldiers, works to ensure that innovative systems fill
operational gaps and become force multipliers on the
battlefield. Not all systems will pass the test.
OTC is a rewarding assignment for civilians and the
military. This assignment provides those who receive it
with an appreciation for the acquisition and fielding
processes. To join OTC as an operational test officer,
an ORSA, or an RDTE NCO, military members can contact
their branch managers and civilians can inquire online
through www.cpol.army.mil.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Maj. Mattii S. Minor is a test officer for the Maneuver
Support and Sustainment Division, Army Operational Test
Command, at Fort Hood, Texas. She holds a bachelor's
degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in
finance and marketing and a master's degree from Troy
State University in marketing. She is a graduate of the
Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, the Combined
Logistics Captains Career Course, the Combined Arms and
Services Staff School, and the Command and General Staff
College Intermediate Level Education.
Capt. Raygan C. France is a test officer at the
Operational Test Command at Fort Hood, Texas. She holds
a bachelor's degree from Troy State University in
resource management and an MBA from Columbia Southern
University. She is a graduate of the Transportation
Basic Officer Leader Course and the Combined Logistics
Captains Career Course.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
This article was published in the May-June 2015 issue of
Army Sustainment magazine.