• GIVEN ENOUGH TIME, THE ENEMIES OF THE UNITED STATES CAN DUPLICATE ALMOST EVERYTHING WE HAVE. THE ONE ASSET WE POSSESS WHICH CAN NEVER BE REPRODUCED BY ANOTHER NATION IS OUR ULTIMATE WEAPON , THE AMERICAN SOLDIER . DEFENSE PLANS CAN BE STOLEN, DESIGNS CAN BE COPIED, DOCTRINES AND DISCIPLINES CAN BE IMITATED, BUT THE AMERICAN COURAGE, SPIRIT AND NATURAL KNOW HOW CAN NEVER BE DUPLICATED. WE CAN DO NOTHING L ESS THAN OUR BEST TO ASSURE THAT THIS MAN HAS THE WEAPONS AND EQU I PMENT WHICH WILL ENABLE HIM TO DO HIS JOB IN AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT PROFESSIONAL MANNER . • PREPARED BY THE TECOM INFORMATION OFFICE WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE VISUAL AIDS SECTION, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE ~CHECK-and DOUBLE CHECK The U. S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (TECOM) is a product of necessity and the result of changing technology. It stands astride the path of research and development, between the drawing board and the user of combat materiel--the American soldier. In combat or in difficult environments, unsuitable equipment can have devastating effects, creating the need for an, unbiased and independent testing agency to ensure that equipment does the job it's assigned to do. Providing this testing service to both military and civilian developers and users is the responsibility of the Test and Evaluation Command. From its headquarters at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., TECOM directs testing at 14 widespread installations and activities where highly-trained technicians and testers put the command's "check and double check" policy into action. Although the mission and concept of TECOM have not changed since the command's inception in 1962, the organization and working machinery of the testing operation change whenever necessary to meet the demanos of new developments in equipment. Adapting to maintain professional competency and efficiency under a variety of testing situations is, in fact, a mission within a mission. In a very real sense, TECOM represents the soldier in the research and development cycle. Requirements based upon the needs of the man in. the field are set for new and modified materiel, and TECOM's fundamental mission is to see that those requirements are met. If soldiers and commanders have confidence in their equipment, then the Test and Evaluation Command's mission has been accomplished. Headquarters, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command Paratroopers aheak and d o uble ahe ak Ab e rdeen Proving Ground, Maryland gear befor e tes t jump . HEADQUARTERS U.S.ARMY T[ST AND [VALUATION COMNlNO ABERDEEN PROVING _,.~ Infantryman, in simulated combat environment, tests individual weapon. 1. MISSION 2. PHILOSOPHY 3. CUSTOMERS 4. ORGANIZATION and FACILITIES 5. PEOPLE 6. MANAGEMENT 7. RESEARCH Tracking telescopes such as this are 8. PRODUCTS us e d in tests involving missiles, projectiles and aircraft . 9. GLOSSARY A l75mm gun blasts away during tests of the M437 projectile . -~ ---------------------------------. 1 ~MISSION: independent, unbiased and thorough testing Testing the LANCE surface-to-air baZZistic miss iZe . The U. S. Army conducts one of the largest and most comprehensive testing operations in the world today. Since most materiel used by the Army is developed and produced by civilian contractors, the question is often asked, "Why does the Army test and evaluate all weapons and other items of equipment?" Many people assume that since civilian contractors do much of the development they should also be responsible for the testing. Removing the responsibility for testing from the company that does the designing and developing of equipmen t is fundamental to unbiased evaluation. The Army recognized this fact when TECOM was established. Many oth er advantages have been gained as a result of putting this entire mission under one command: eliminating duplicate test facilities; reducing administrative staffing; and providing large, complex facilities that could not be supported by small, separate test organizations. After a complete study, the Secretary of Defense issued an order 10 February 1962 which directed the activation of the U. S. Army Materiel Command (AMC). This action abolished seven technical services under the direction of the Commanding General, U. S. Continental Army Command (CONARC), plus the Chief of Finance and transferred the functions of these offices to the Secretary of the Army. AMC General Order No. 5, dated 26 June 1962, assigned the testing responsibilities of the technical services to the Commanding General, U. S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (TECOM). On 1 November 1962, TECOM assumed full responsibility for the test and evaluation missions formerly assigned to the technical services. The mission of TECOM is to plan and conduct Development Tests II (DT II Engineering Phase), Development Tests II (DT II Service Phase), Check and Development Tests III (DT III) Tests as required, and to furnish, -----=------------ Lightweight surveying instrument undergoes winter evaluation. as a service to the developer, such tests as Development Tests I (DT I), engineering design, acceptance, feasibility, initial production and other types of tests, evaluation and test support at the request of the developer. DT II (Engineering Phase), DT II (Service Phase), Check and ThT III tests are grouped in one category for which TECOM is solely responsible for preparation of the test plan, conduct of the test, and evaluation of the test results for the developer. These are referred to collectively as Suitability Tests. Other cited tests are in the category of those performed as a service to the developer, and are referred to as Customer Tests. This service may entail the use of TECOM facilities and personnel assistance in the conduct of the test. In the latter case, the responsibility for preparation of the test plan and conduct of the test lies with the developer. However, if he desires, he can request TECOM prepare and execute the test plan. Upon receipt of a test request the proper TECOM materiel directorate prepares a test directive and forwards it to the responsible test activity. The directive contains the development background and description of the item, a TECOM project number, coordination requirements with supporting test activities, test objectives, chargeable funding codes, and a request upon the test activity to prepare and submit a test plan to the headquarters for comment and approval. The receipt of the approved test plan authorizes the test activity to proceed with the test. Results of the test, including conclusions and recommen· dations, are summarized in a formal test report by the test activity and forwarded to headquarters. The results of the test are evaluated. If objectives were met, the report is approved and distributed to the requesting agency and AMC. Secondary distribution is made available through the Defense Documentation Center to other governmental agencies interested in the results. This distribution allows for a wide dissemination of technical information to the development and testing communities. Trail truck floatability is put to the test. Operating a portable, man-pack radio set in dense vegetation. Philosophy includes the rationale, planning, organi zation, liaison and other functions necessary to accomp PHILOSOPHY: lish a given test mission. The Test and Evaluation Command's overall philosophy reflects the experience gained by Army testers over the years, as well as the timely, efficient, results of several studies conducted to determine ways to improve efficiency. obiective tests Testing is an integral part of research and develop ment; it is not an end in itself, but a process to determine a product's correctness, suitability and quality. Asfar as possible, testing must be performed objectively.Since the main goal of testing is accurate evaluation;effective systems a nalysis techniques, augmented byqualified experience, are n ecessary to acquire dependabledata. Some of the methods for reducing testing time andimproving efficiency include early planning to providesufficient prototype items, participation of test personnelin the early development of test items, full use of engineer design test data, integrated DT II when possible,concurrent testing by various agencies when sufficientprototypes exist and free exchange of test data. A majorresult of correctly applied testing philosophy is the elimination of duplicate a nd redundant testing. Environmental tests under controlled conditions conducted in special climatic chambers are essential forDT II (Engineering Phase), although field environmentaltests are sometimes conducted as well, usually j-ointlywith service tests. The results of these tests are appliedpromptly to the materiel tested and also recorded for usein designing future equipment. It is not possible to state unequivocally how muchtesting is enough. It must be sufficient to provide a highdegree of confide n ce in the results, yet not be carriedbeyond the point of limited return. Test planning, which should be accomplished earlyin the research and development cycle, must be adaptable to the criteria and needs of each individual project.It is helpful, of course, to use established patterns andprocedures whenever possible, but the changing conditions that may arise in a testing situation-for example,the necessity of deciding whether to conduct joint, concurrent or separate programs, fluctuations in logisticalsupport and varying environmental conditions-make itnecessary to maintain a high degree of flexibility. Tests are coordinated with responsible research developer and user agencies, whose requirements and comments are accommodated to the extent possible considering the obj~~tives of the test program, the characteristicsof the test item and the resources available. While engineer redesign, DT II (Engineering Phase),DT II (Service Phase) and acceptance tests are somewhatdifferent in terms of organization responsibility andspecific functions, they all have the common objective ofdetermining that tested materiel is suitable for Army use.Consequently all these testing activities are integratedinto a coherent program within the Test and EvaluationCommand structure. Helicopter releases fire re tardent over test site . Demolition Zeader inserts a fuse into an anti -tank mine . SeZf-propeZZed howitzer rumbZes through fieZd tests. Tank gunner zeroes in on target. ~CUSTOMERS: astronauts, postmen, Gls Co ld weather gear gets an Aratia workout. Inflatable shelter is readied for environmental Theoretically the list of potential customers for the Test and Evaluation Command is almost endless, since any government agency which has items to be tested for suitability could avail itself of TECOM's services. Con. tractors without adequate test facilities also may request the use of these services on a reimbursable basis. Most of the equipment used by government agencies can be purchased directly from America's industrial producers. But equipment used by the Department of Defense-especially combat m a teriel-is subject to such strict requirements that few items of the ordinary civilian producers' inventory can be used without modification. For this reason the testing capabilities of TECOM are in great demand. Not only the Army, but the Navy, Air Force and Marines use the command's facilities and personnel. As the operator of the U. S. Army White Sands Missile Range, the only all land-based National Range in the United States, TECOM also performs tests for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) and the Atomic Energy Commission. Another customer is the U. S. Postal Service, for which ~COM tests vehicles. All such testing is performed under the direction of the Army Materiel Command following a request by the customer. Testing equipment for commodity commands-major subordinate commands of the Army Materiel Commandis a routine part of TECOM's mission. Each of these commands is responsible for the development and pro testing. duction of a specific type of hardware, but since few have facilities to test what they produce, TECOM's unique capabilities are used by almost every producer of Army materiel. Each of the commodity commands-including its civilian contractors, project managers, and laboratories Soldier prepares to fire M203 grenade launaher attaahed t·o M16Al rifle and special agencies under the purview of AMC-is a major customer of the Test and Evaluation Command. Project managers are assigned to oversee the develop ment and production of items of equipment which are particularly important or unique, such as special aircraft and weapons systems. These managers report directly to the Commanding General, AMC. Criteria for deter mining project managership assignment are based on numerous factors including itemj system complexity, criticality, and the main thrust for the development pro gram with respect to commodity alignment. In one sense, TECOM could be considered its own best customer. The tests in which TECOM has total re sponsibility for funding, planning, designing, conducting and reporting upon constitute over 44 per cent of the total workload. This percentage exceeds considerably the workload accomplished for any other single customer. The tests which comprise this category are the DT II (Engineering and Service Phases) Check and DT III tests. In almost all other tests, the planning, design, report ing and evaluation are. the responsibility of the developer and TECOM is limited to the actual conduct of the test. In a final anaylsis however, TECOM has only one customer for the majority of its product. This customer is the American serviceman. He is the ultimate user of almost every product that is developed, tested and pro duced by the Army research and development program. His success in his mission depends to a great extent upon the confidence that he has in his weapons and equip ment. He may not be cognizant of the various phases of development of Army materiel, including the test and evaluation process, but he is the final judge as to whether that materiel is effective. He is the customer who must be satisfied; he is the one who must know that what he has will do the Job. Testers attaah roaket tubes to HUEY COBRA heZiaopter. M151 1/4-ton truak fords areek with the aid of a UNA-TRACK kit. ~ORGANIZATIONS and FACILITIES: desert W' heat to Arctic co ld Tester pr e pares to fire VULCA N 20mm aannon . Ae r i a l delivery teahnique s suah as this mu l tip l e a i r dr op are frequentl y evaluated by TECOM pe rsonnel . • Came r as r e aord l aunah of ful l yinstr umented Shille l agh mi ss i l e . The U. S. Army Test and Evaluation Command is organized into a command headquarters and 14 subordin· ate testing installations, activities and centers. Tests of various types are conducted at five proving grounds, six service test boards, two environmental test centers and one national missile range, located throughout the United States, including Alaska and the Panama Canal Zone. Natural atmospheric and climat ic conditions vary from temperate in most locations to extreme cold in Ft. Greely, Alaska, to hot and humid in the Canal Zone and to extreme desert conditions at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. Four of the five proving grounds-Aberdeen, Jefferson, Dugway and Yuma-are separate military installa. tions under the command of TECOM, as is White Sands Missile Range. Within the borders of these installations there are approximately five million acres of real estate, an area larger than the states of Delaware and Connecticut combined. Acquisition cost of these installations with their 20 million square feet of building floor space, utilities and equipment approximates one half billion dollars. The fifth proving ground, the Army Electronic Proving Ground, is. a tenant activity located at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz. The six service test boards, two environ. mental test centers and one proving ground are located on other Army installations as tenants. The Command Group of TECOM Headquarters consists of the Commanding General, Deputy Commanding General, and three Deputy Chiefs of Staff-OCS/Support, DCS/ Testing and DCS/ Analysis. Although each of the Deputy Chiefs of Staff has a primary responsibility for designated functional areas, he also has a correlative responsibility which runs across all functional lines. The DCS concept emplQyed within this headquarters is a par. ticipative one in which the three work together as a team in furnishing immediate direction and management to the total headquarters operation. The support operations of this headquarters concerns resource management and normal staff and support func· tions which are required within a headquarters type operation. Resource managers; the Directors of Personnel, Training and Force Development, Logistics and the Camp. troller ensure support of the testing and evaluation mission. The direct management of testing operations is accomplished through eight Materiel Test Directorates (MTDsl and a staff directorate known as Test Operations. The MTDs are assigned the overall staff responsibility for efficient, economical and effective accomplishment of test and evaluation tasks on appropriately assigned rna. teriel and equipment items or systems. As opposed to a pure commodity breakout, these Directorates are organized along systems lines so that test and evaluation can be accomplished on a major system within one directorate rather than being fragmented among several. The Test Operations Directorate ties together the workload management efforts of the eight MTDs. In addition to maintaining continual cognizance of the status of all test efforts and the equitable loading of subordinate test agencies, the directorate is also responsible for the development and the currency of operating test policy. CHAPARREL heat-seeking missile system is readied for firing. PERSHING missile blasts off on a 350-mile trip downrange. U. S. ARMY ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD., is also the location of the headquarters of the Test and Evaluation Command. With its 82,000 acres, half of which are under water, APG is a major contributor to the TECOM mission. Virtually all weapons, except long range missiles, can be tested at this installation. Instrumented firing of weapons up to ranges of 42,000 yards is possible and a total of approximately 100 firing positions are available for testing different types of weapons and equipment. The Munson Test Area, containing what has been publicized as the "World's Worst Road" is used to test wheeled and tracked vehicles and their components. Several climatic test chambers, which simulate hot and cold temperatures and high altitudes are used for testing weapons, ammunition and vehicles under extreme conditions. Armored vehicle armament systems, as well as engineer type equipment and munitions are also tested at APG. In addition, APG conducts tests on equipment for general use throughout the Army. Facilities to perform this mission include six accelerated wear courses, a test track and a rough terrain course for materials handling equipment, a fabric exposure site, highway and rail testing, experimental kitchens and food testing and radioactive materials storage facilities. U. S. ARMY DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, UTAH, conducts field and laboratory tests to evaluate chemical and radiological weapons and defense systems and materiel, as well as biological defensive research. The USADPG serves as the DOD joint control point for all available chemical and biological defense data. At this installation, 840,000 acres of the Great Salt Lake Desert are used to conduct investigations 'in biological research; and chemical radiological, meteorological, ecological and epidemiological areas. Chemical and radiological tests of offensive materiel are conducted under· strictly controlled conditions and with maximum safety precautions on designated impact areas. These areas are constantly monitored by a variety of sampling equipment not only on the test sampling grids but on off-post sites as well. Biological research and testing of biological materiel are conducted under controlled conditions in laboratories and test chambers. Conventional Army materiel 'is tested at Dugway Proving Ground when necessary. U. S. ARMY WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N. M., is located in the south central part of the state and is the TECOM installation probably best known to the public. Within its boundaries man first created a nuclear explosion. Landwise it is the largest TECOM agency, having over three million acres, plus available off-site launching areas. This installation, a National Range, is used by all the armed forces, other governmental agencies and civilian organizations to test and evaluate missiles, missile systems, space communications, test methodology and radiation propagation devices. Guidance systems for long missile flights are tested by firing from launch sites as far away as Green River, Utah and impacting into WSMR. a distance of over 500 miles. Launch sites at the installation are available to test missiles, drones, space vehicle flights and related technical components. Calibration facilities are available to all users of the rang'e. Facilities for performing static tests of rocket motors are also available. The Nuclear Effects Facility is available to test the effects of radiation on materials at predetermined levels of nuclear blast or environment. The reactor is capable of producing both high-yield, short duration pulses or steady state operations. U. S. ARMY YUMA PROVING GROUND ARIZ., in the southwest corner of the state, has almost a million acres of desert real estate. Within this wide expanse, many types of terrain conditions and relatively stable climatic conditions make this an ideal area for desert testing. Facilities are available to test air delivery of various articles by dropping into one of three drop zones or a controlled impact site. Preparation of these items, including ammunition, is done at special rigging areas and actual drops are made from aircraft operating from Laguna Army Air Field. Typical facilities to test and evaluate wheeled and tracked vehicles and their component systems consist of dust, rock, hill, level, dynamometer, paved, Belgian block and gravel courses. Test slopes with grades from 10 to 50 per cent, turning radii circles, suspension and vibration test courses are also available. There are also four off-post test facilities for vehicle testing. For testing of munitions and weapons, the Kofa Firing Range has twenty-one firing positions with a maximum range of 70,000 yards. The Cibola Range is a mountainous area developed to test aircraft armament systems. Emergenay Shetter enables hetiaopter repairmen to work under Aratia aonditions. U. S. ARMY JEFFERSON PROVING GROUND, IND., the smallest of the TECOM installations with about 55,000 acres, is located in the southeastern section of the state. Ammunition and ammunition components are processed, assembled and tested here. The maximum firing range is 24,000 yards and weapons from 75mm to 240mm howitzers can be accommodated. Tests of recoilless weapons, grenades launchers and small arms can be accommodated also. Multiple firing positions and observation position's are available, including positions for testing armor defeating ammunition. Environmental temperature conditioning units, having a total range in temperature from minus 100 degree F to 200 degree F, are used to condition ammunition prior to firing. The capability is also avail. able to evaluate projectiles from the point of time, velocity, drag, fuse time, strain, thrust, etc., by calibration, photography and other instrumentation. U. S. ARMY ARCTIC TEST CENTER, FT. GREELY, ALASKA, is the coldest activity in the chain of TECOM subordinates. The facilities include firing ranges, vehicular test courses, improved terrain areas and maintenance shops. Approximately one million acres are available to the test center. The U. S. Army Arctic Test Center has the capability for performing environmental tests, under extreme natural conditions on all types of materiel. Teahniaians instatt Radar operators prepare XM-28 "minigun" f or missile firing. on hetiaopter. U. S. ARMY ELECTRONIC PROVING GROUND, FT. HUACHUCA, ARIZ., operates as a tenant unit at this desert post. Here are located facilities for electromagnetic environmental, electronic countermeasures vulnerability and systems testing. Tests are planned,conducted, evaluated and reported for communications-electronic equipment and systems, and technical consultation services are provided to Department of Defense agencies in the development of such systems. Airborne surveillance systems are tested on the range between Ft. Huachuca and Yuma Proving Ground. Facilities are available at the Gila Bend Site to test electronic devices or systems under typical battlefield conditions for operational capabilities. U.S. ARMY TROPIC TEST CENTER, PANAMA CANAL ZONE, in contrast to the Arctic Test Center, is hot, muggy and damp the year round. Here the conditions vary from the tropical rain forest on the Atlantic side to tropical Air Force aircraft often participate in TECOM tests. SKYDROME helicopter prepares to hoist a load. deciduous marshes and swamp areas on the Pacific side. Test facililties are distributed on both sides of the isthmus. On the Pacific side laboratories and specific areas are available to test soils, chemicals and electronics as affected by climatic conditions or controlled exposure tests. There are also facilities for microbiological testing and a stock culture is maintained. On the Atlantic side are other laboratories and an area to test storage of ammunition. Firing ranges are available at both sides of the isthmus and in the interior of the Republic of Panama. All TECOM installations except Jefferson Proving Ground have airfields which support the testing mission. All have restricted airspace over the range areas. Aircraft must obtain authorization to enter this airspace to prevent collision with drones, high trajectory projectiles, rockets or missiles. Dependent on range usage, the restricted airspaces vary in ceiling height and time available. Six of the subordinate testing activities of TECOM are service test boards located at Army posts where the principal activity is closely allied or identical to that of the board. These boards are: U.S. Army Airborne, Communications and Electronics Board, Ft. Bragg, N. C. U.S. Army Armor and Engineer Board, Ft. Knox, Ky. U.S. Army Air Defense Board, Ft. Bliss, Texas. U.S. Army Field Artillery Board, Ft. Sill, Okla. U.S. Army Aviation Test Board, Ft. Rucker, Ala. U.S. Army Infantry Board, Ft. Benning, Ga. The Development Test II (Service Phase) of materiel and associated maintenance packages is performed by military personnel, i. e., individuals, teams or crews representative of user personnel, but not necessarily in a truly operational environment. The materiel under test is operated under conditions similar to those expected in areas of intended operational use. Due to the assignment of limited military personnel with required occupational specialties, the service test boards rely heavily upon temporary duty personnel during the conduct of tests. Such personnel are for the most part, for five of the six service test boards, furnished by the Training and Doctrine Command CTRADOC) usually from the colocated Combat Arms Center & School. In the case of the US Army Airborne, Communications and Electronics Board, temporary duty personnel are usually provided by the colocated Forces Command. TEST & EVALUATION COMMAND USA ARCTIC TEST CENTER FT. GREELY, ALASKA MADISON, INDIANA YUMA , ARIZONA USA ARMOR & ENGR BOARDUSA FIELD ARTILLERY BOARD FT. KNOX , KENTUCKYFORT Sill, OKLAHOMA WSMR, NEW MEXICO FT. BliSS, TEXAS The Armor and Engineer Board concentrates its testing activities on tanks, armored personnel carriers, general purpose vehicles which have combat function and various types of Engineer equipment. The Infantry Board covers small arms, mortars, field clothing, rations and individual equipment, individual and unit chemical and radiological equipment, anti-personnel mines and rockets, and surveillance systems for military use. The Army artillery, both fired and launched, is tested by the Field Artillery Board at Ft. Sill. If a larger range is required for the testing of long range artillery and missiles, personnel from the Field Artillery Board make use of the facilities at White Sands Missile Range. DT II Service Phase testing of all air defense materiel such as weapons, fire distribution systems, air defense countermeasures and devices designed to overcome such measures is the responsibility of the Air Defense Board. The Aviation Test Board checks out Army fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft and the supporting equipment at Ft. Rucker, Ala. Tests airborne and special warfare missions, communications equipment, combat surveillance systems of equipment peculiar to (except manned aircraft) and navigational systems for all-weather air drops and air delivery are conducted by the Air borne, Communications and Electronics Board. This board participates in many tests to determine the air drop and air transportability of numerous items and makes extensive use of the facilities at Yuma Proving Ground for this purpose. Integration of DT II Engineering and Service Test Phases is often possible and many times desirable, since it cuts lead time and is more economical. At other times it is necessary due to the number of prototypes available for testing. HEADQUARTERS U.S. ARMY TEST & EVALUATION COMMAND COMMANDING GENERAL DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY TO THE CG FOR TESTING DEPUTY TO THE CG FOR ANALYSIS CHIEF ENGINEER I I TEST OPERA liONS DIRECTORATE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS PERSONNEL, TNG COMPTROLLER DIRECTORATE & FORCE DEY DIRECTORATE LOGISTICS ARMOR MATERIEL TESTING DIRECTORATE RELIABILITY DIRECTORATE AVAILABILITY & LEGAL OFFICE FIELD ARTILLERY MAT TESTING DIRECTORATE MAINTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE INSPECTOR GENERAL INFORMATION AIR DEFENSE MAT TESTING DIRECTORATE HUMAN FACTORS SYSTEMS OFFICE SAFETY OFFICE ENGINEERING NBC MATERIEL TESTING DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE INFORMATION PROCUREMENT 0FFICE DIRECTORATE METHODOLOGY AVIATION MATERIEL DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE OFFICE OF THE EQUAL SECRETARY EMPLOYMENTELECTRONICS MAT TESTING DIRECTORATE INSTRUMENTATION OF THE OPPORTUNITY DIRECTORATE GENERAL STAFF OFFICE GENERAL EQUIP . MAT TESTING DIRECTORATE SA M-D VULNERABILITY PLANS & STUDY SECURITY INFANTRY MATERIEL TESTING DIRECTORATE STUDIES OFFICE PROGRAMS OFFICE OFFICE ~ PEOPLE: W scientists, soldiers, Long-tub• howit••r i• pr•paredfor t ..t firing. secretaries. • • Few military commands require a broader mix of personnel skills than the Army's materiel testing agency and its close-knit complex of 14 proving grounds, service test boards, environmental centers and special test activities. The TECOM team includes some 14,000 people, each of whom is considered a very important asset. The composition of the work -force is approximately 71 per cent civilian and 29 per cent military, complemented by nearly 2,000 contracted personneL Some are rare, one-ofa-kind specialists. Many are highly qualified professional men and women of almost every description-engineers, scientists, technicians. No less essential to the accomplishment of the TECOM mission are a wide variety of administrative, logistical, and clerical personneL Each one, from the range rider who insures that no harm befalls stray cattle, to the pilot and his crew who fly an important test mission, is imbued with the knowledge that each job is related and important; A single error may destroy the entire mission. Staffing requirements, for instance, call for individuals qualified in 42 per cent of the Army's 925 military occupational specialities; 38 per cent of the Civil Service Commission's 430 white collar occupational codes and over 150 blue collar occupational codes. Mobile floating assault bridg• and ferry nears shore with ita Load of hardware. Self-prope ZZed 155 MM howitaer with tub• extension is moved forward during fieZd exercise . Makeup of the TECOM work-force varies from one activity to another. Service test boards are predominately military; other activities are largely civilian. Military personnel are selected and assigned on the basis of their special knowledge, education, talents, combat experience, logistical knowledge and a grasp of individual techniques. They include infantrymen, tankers, mathematicians, chemists, artillerymen, supply specialists, engineers and aviators. Every effort is made to retain these highly trained and skilled personnel in the Army in order to take advantage of their experience and knowledge in the furtherance of the TECOM mission. Comprehensive programs for the re-enlistment of enlisted personnel and the retention of junior officers have been placed in effect throughout the command and have resulted in a high retention rate of these most valuable assets. Civilian employees are selected from among the best available, including college graduates at all degree levels in many disciplines. Many needs are met through high school and junior college graduates. Former military personnel are often an invaluable source, as they bring knowledge, experience and know-how gained through their many years of uniformed service. Work-study college programs, youth opportunity programs and othe'r special employment program~, including those designed to employ handicapped persons, are all used to enhance the TECOM work force. Qualified members of minority groups and women are recruited in order to add their highly desirable expertise. TECOM is aware that change is the only constant in today's world. To meet this challenge, each member of the command is encouraged to make his maximum contribution. Training is often needed to insure this accomplishment. Self-development is stressed. In an average year, more than 650 personnel will attend about 300 different courses at 50 military or civilian schools. From 500 to 600 will attend approximately 60 different courses on new items they will test. More than 600 military personnel will be enrolled in courses under the Army's General Education Program to further their education. TECOM personnel are similar to Army personnel wherever they may be found, regardless of their mission. They are devoted, dedicated, and loyal and interested in the successful accomplishment not only of the local mission but the total mission of the Army. There is considerable opportunity for personnel to be recognized. Numerous individuals contribute to effective and economic management by participation in the Army Suggestion Program and are eligible for cash awards which range from $25 to $25,000 when suggestions are adopted. Management also uses performance awards in recognition of superior and outstanding contributions by civilian employees. Both cash and/or honorary awards are used and may be given for a single act or noteworthy service over a period of years. Awards of varying degrees, up to and including the President's Award for Distinguished Civilian Service, may be made. Similarly, TECOM military personnel are recognized for outstanding contributions or exceptionally meritorious service through the Army's awards and decorations program. Decorations ranging from the Distinguished Service Medal to the TECOM Certificate of Achievement are awarded military personnel of the command in recognition of outstanding services rendered. MEXEFLOTE pontoon equipment is loaded during military potential tests. DemoZition worker pours inert fiZZer into test projectiZe. So~diers use M-17 mask respirator system during simu~ated air attack. TECOM civilian employees enjoy many benefits such as sick and annual leave, low-cost insurance coverage and a liberal retirement plan. Accumulation of sick leave is unlimited and that many individuals use their sick leave prudently is attested by the ever increasing number of members in the 2,000 Hour Club. Military members enjoy similar benefits including medical and dental care for themselves and their dependents, educational assistance, food, lodging, clothing and retirement eligibility after 20 years of active duty service. Safe working conditions for TECOM personnel have been given the highest priority since the establishment of the command. Continuing emphasis is placed on the adequacy of safety programs to reduce to a minimum the number of accidents, injuries and resultant costs. Special emphasis is placed on safety in testing, and motor vehicle, military off-duty, and aviation safety. The recent advances in Army research and development have resulted in increasingly complex techniques and methods in modern test and evaluation requirements, the importance of t he individual and his place in TECOM remains constant. It is the individual scientist engineer who must make the final analysis and determine now j·ust how well a specific item will service the American soldier not only on today's, but tomorrow's battlefield. A specia~~y mounted 105 MM howitzer is tested for ~ow degree depression sighting capabiLity. Photographer documents preparations for missile firing. Infan t ryme n participate in evaluation o f dust contr ol material. Lab work is an integral part of many tests. A 1250 h.p. Main Battle Tank can achieve road sp eeds of about 40 miles per hour. Every te ster in the field is backed up by many skilled managerial and administrative personnel. MANAGEMENT: control, inform, coordinate Management of TECOM is a unique and challenging task. Because of its role, mission, and purpose, TECOM is unlike the rest of the Army. The command had no precedent in the government or in private industry. Although· a relatively new organization, TECOM has t he advantage of not being shackled to the past, while meeting the significant of continuously breaking trail in uncharted management fields. TECOM operates under the concept of "decentralized and positive management" which permits total management. Through the Management Information Systems the time and effort of headquarter's managers are concentrated on critical situations, not because they present problems, but because they are important. Thus, the fundamental management philosophy of the command can be said to be: To accomplish the test and evaluation mission of the Army in an orderly, efficient and effective manner under a system of centralized planning and appraisal, and decentralized operating authority based upon the principles of command and staff relationships. Under this philosoph y, the role of the comma nd headquarters is clear. It is to guide and blend the separate, individual and distinctive efforts of the 14 subordinate agencies into an integrated approach to mutual goals. To do this, the fol . lowing concepts are required: 1. Command relationships: The Commanding General ccmmands all assigned installations and activities. Matters which may result in significant delays to the testing program must be immediately brought to his attention. 2. Staff relationships: Direct contact between the headquarters staff and subordinate installations and activities is encouraged on all matters, within established policy and procedures and in accordance with approved programs. Matters which involve changes in policy, deviation from approved programs, or which require AMC approval are presented to the Commanding General. 3. Test Management: a. The management of tests involves many items and many test types through which each item must be processed. The interest in those testing functions by agencies outside of this command are significant and manifold. This interest includes test planning, scheduling, funding, accomplishments and participation. b. In the interest of efficient and effective managem e nt and timely completion of testing, all testing requirements are processed through the headquarters. Without this system, operating test activities could not be properly utilized, pro· fessional skills and resources would be dissipated, and test lead time and costs would become excessive. The versatilities and unique capabilities which exist throughout the command are used to the maximum. The command is viewed as a testing entity rather than as a collection of separate and special-interest activities. No management philosophy, managerial concept or organizational principle can, in itself, assure a successful opera· tion. These are but the inputs to the catalyst -the Management Information System. Managing testing and business information is a critical requirement of this command just as the management of information is a vital part of the structural operations of any other large enterprise. Cooperation between civilian and military personnel is e ssential for successful testing. First, it is necessary to measure the job assigned to the command. Second, it is necessary to maintain a vehicle which provides information necessary for efficient and profitable management. To meet these objectives, TEAM-UP (Test, Evaluation, Analysis, Management Uniformity Plan) was designed. TEAM-UP is a program to achieve compatible computer hardware throughout TECOM and to design and implement standard computer systems and programs. For example, it is not desired that each of the 14 subordinate agencies invent the wheel. One should invent it and furnish the blueprint to the other 13. One of the most critical systems within TEAM-UP, insofar as successful management is concerned, is TRMS (Test Resource Management System). TRMS is the management information system for testing and provides: -An inventory of all workload. -The means for directing and scheduling tests. -A means for assigning coordinating instructions to multiple test agencies with a minimum of misunderstanding. -A warning of impending trouble. -A status report on testing and assignment and utilization of resources. Thus, it is also a justification of resources. -Identification of above-average performance. -A historical record and a base of statistical data to qualify performance. -An up-to-date working file based on a 24-hour updating cycle. This country is in the midst of the greatest management revolution in the history of man, a revolution in which there is not only a desire to abandon conventional concepts, but a desire to overcome traditional limitations. Man now possesses the techniques to do this and to face reality. Conventionalism is no longer an accepted solution to any managerial problem. The explosive development of automatic data processing and the utilization of operations research in decision making and planning makes it necessary that we accept the fact that we can no longer do things the way we used to. These are just some of the management systems and information problems which a progressive enterprise faces today. TECOM recognizes that it has a tremendous burden helping to create this whole new management technology. TEAM-UP serves as a foundation for the future so the command can build its total management information program wisely and logically. TECOM managers are aware of the dynamic environment in_ which they do business. Although all of them may become concerned about the pace at which events move and about the revolutionary practices and concepts which surround us, they never lose sight of the personal challenge posed by these events. The Army has never failed to accept such challenges in the past a nd TECOM managers will not fail these challenges now. Spectra-Physics gas laser is tested as a high intensity, monochromatic light source for spectroscopy. ~RESEARCH: test tubes and treadmills, ~ lasers and lathes While the basic mission of TECOM is to independent· ly test and evaluate materiel which has been developed to satisfy a particular need of the military, it must b.realized that this mission cannot be accomplished without the aid of research. Specifically, there is a constant anu recurring need to carry out applied research in support of the command's test methodology program. It is not sufficient to accept those test methods and techniques currently in use as completely satisfactory. Rather, it is necessary to constantly review, analyze and evaluate the current practices in light of maximizing the use of the information obtained from each test conducted within the aegis of TECOM. In recognition of the command's responsibility in this area, an R & D mission in test methodology was assigned to the command. The TECOM program of applied research in support of the test methodology program is directed, coordinated and controlled by the Methodology Improvement Directorate of the headquarters. However. the bulk of TECOM's applied research effort is conducted by methodology units at subordinate installations. As would be expected, the major effort in the area of applied research will be found at the larger TECOM installations such as Dugway Proving Ground, White Sands Missile Range, .•berdeen Proving Ground, and Yuma Proving Ground. While ~he respective missions of these organizations tend to channel their applied research efforts into rather selective areas, quite frequently generalized developments are applicable throughout the command. The magnitude of the TECOM applied research effort is best illustrated by a brief description of thm:e areas in which projects are currently under study. In the area of Chemical-Biological field testing, Dugway Proving Ground is conducting a study aimed towards development of an algebraic structure, or mathematical model, which will increase the efficiency of experimental designs for dosage estimation and prediction in field trials. White Sands Missile Range is engaged in a wide variety of studies which have been initiated to assist them in satisfying requirements of their particular TECOM mission. Several areas in which considerable effort is being expended inhouse at that installation are the Development of Nuclear Effects Technique; the Development of Laser Test Techniques and Procedures; and Structural Test and Evaluation Methods. Advances in technology for evaluating imaging system performance have led to studies concerned with optical contrast, distortion and sinusoidal test pattern arrays. Engineering tests of end items .of tactical ADP equipment and programs have also necessitated research into the appropriate methodology to conduct such tests at the Electronic Proving Ground. Aberdeen Proving Ground, by virtue of its vehicle test requirements has recognized the suitability of developing a treadmill dynamometer-A conceptual study of such a facility and its requisite methodology is planned. APG is also conducting applied research in several areas of interest which are common to all the proving grounds but which they are approaching from the point of view of the type of testing peculiar to their own installation. An example is the work being done there on test procedures which are designed to produce a realistic simulation of the conditions that materiel will experience when exposed to the climatic extremes specified for Army equipment. Yuma Proving Ground is also conducting research into environmental effects. However, their emphasis is on the hot dry environment. They are presently studying the problems of vehicle trafficability in the desert environment. While the majority of applied research conducted within TECOM is support of their R & D mission in test methodology is conducted at the various proving grounds, there is a certain amount being conducted at the service test boards and at the environmental test centers in Alaska and the Canal Zone. Because of personnel considerations at the service test boards, the applied research effort there is carried out generally through contracts monitored by board personnel. For example, the Infantry Board has developed an automated combat test range for small arms firings while the Aviation Test Board is engaged in a research project associated with the developm ent of an armed helicopter service test facility. TECOM instrumentation includes many recent advances in technology. Just as testing is an indispensable link in the cradle to grave life cycle of materiel, test instrumentation is the essential ingredient of test technology. The yearly instrumentation program (about $12 million) provides subordinate elements with funds for Special glass equipment is made by highly-skilled glass blower and technician . Comple x equipment such as this Zinear nuclear accelerator (above) and automatic motion picture processor (below ) is part of the TECOM inventory. instrumentation necessary to gather the required test data. While much of the instrumentation funds are for replacement of worn equipment, the remaining funds are used to provide unique test instrumentation. As would be expected, the research efforts at the environmental test centers in the Canal Zone and Alaska slant their applied research projects towards a better understanding of not on ly the effects of the environments on the performance of man and materiel, but also of t he effects of these environments on what might otherwise be considered basic phenomena. Radio direction finder is attached to weather balloon. Eleatronia data proa••sing i• at th• h•art of all suah activities. TECOM scientists and technicians are involved in many types of research, including weather and atmospheric tests (below left) , tests of medical equipment such aa the respirator shown below right . Research takes place not only in well-equipped laboratories and workahop a (above , left and below), but alao in the fi eld under a variety of climatic conditione , aa ia the caae with thia teat (above, right) of protective aheltera in the tropi cs. ----.... ~PRODUCTS: test reportsW''the soldier's warranty' A test report is a document written for the permanent record, containing technical data compiled from test re. suits, presented in a concise and orderly form, from which logical conclusions can be deduced and factual recom. mendations presented. This is the end product of TECOM's testing and evaluation. In TECOM various reports are generated during the conduct of a test to keep the developer apprised of test progress. Partial formal reports cover a specific segment or phase of the test and may contain conclusions and recommendations. Interim reports make note of signifi. cant incidents, findings, or interim conclusions reached at any point in the testing process. Equipment perform· ance reports are prepared when technical difficulties or malfunctions are encountered which warrant expeditious action on the part of the developer. In essence, these re. ports provide the basis for the final formal report, which is submitted to TECOM headquarters.for approvaL The importance of a test report cannot be over-emphasized. Conclusions and recommendations have a sig· nificant impact on decisions involving acceptance, procurement, production or termination of a project. In a sense, a test report can be compared to a scholastic "re. port card". Analysis of test data indicates the type of "homework" performed by both the developer and the tester. Human weakness can lead to inadvertent introduction of a paternalistic attitude on the part of the de· veloper or a biased approach to testing on the part of the tester. Neither should be condoned. Facts cannot be determined if the tester is either limited or restricted by test parameters favoring the item. Conversely, the tester should not approach a test with a "jaundiced eye" or a preconceived notion as to the test outcome. Either approach· or a combination of both will not only compromise the test, but in the final analysis present a distorted picture to the decision makers as well as a disservice to the ultimate user-the soldier in the field. The philosophy involved in producing a TECOM test report can be summarized in a few words: A test report must be capable of standing on its own and under no circumstances will the integrity of a test report be com. promised. This is accomplished by a thorough analysis of the collected data resulting from the test coupled with a close study by the test activity to cull any opinionated, unsupported, or biased data from the report before sub· mission to headquarters. At headquarters, the report is evaluated by the Test and Evaluation Review Board for technical accuracy, adequacy and compliance with pertinent regulations, technical specifications, and qualitative materiel and/or small development requirements. Findings of the Board result in the development of a command position recom. mendation to the Commanding General. After approval by the Commanding General, reports are distributed to the interested agencies. Military testing is comparable to industry testing in that both are guided by sound engineering principles and techniques. Both are designed to satisfy their respective customers. However, in the case of the military, testing may be a bit more severe when consideration is given to the expected performance of military equipment in the field. Military equipment must be operable "on demand" under any environment, in any part of the world. To this end, TECOM as an independent military tester carries the responsibility of assuring that military equipment will meet these "on demand" requirements. The end product of this command-the Test Reportassures the soldier that his equipment is the best that scientific and engineering efforts have produced. The Test Report very correctly can be termed "The Soldier's Warranty." ~GLOSSARY Principal TECOM tests ACCEPTANCE -Determines conformance of products, components or lots with manufacturing specifications prior to re lease for field use. CHECK -Development Test II (DT II) type retest of equipment to verify the correction of deficiencies found during DT II Engineering/Service Phases which precluded type classification. COMPARISON -Detects design, manufacturing or inspection deficiencies resulting in quality degradation. DEVELOPMENT TEST I (DT I) -Determines the relative merits of competing systems and provides an early determination of potential military worth of new systems. DEVELOPMENT TEST II (DT II Engineering Phase) -Determines the technical performance and safety characteristics of an item or system and its associated tools and test equipment as described in the requirements document. DEVELOPMENT TEST II (DT II Service Phase) -The determination by representative users whether or not an item is suitable for its intended use, measured against military characteristics of the requirements document. DEVELOPMENT TEST III (DT Ill) -Verifies adequacy and quality of materiel from first production runs. ENGINEER DESIGN -Confirms engineering concept and design and feasibility of further development. Includes similar tests of components and systems engineering.. FEASIBILITY -A test intended to provide a technical evaluation and assessment of items or systems developed by another service, foreign ally, or commercial firm. FIRING TABLE -Furnishes . d.ata for compilation of firing tables. INITIAL PRODUCTION -Verifies adequacy and quality of materiel from su bsequent production runs (follow-on pro curemen ts )_ INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT TEST II-DT II (Engineering Phase) and DT II (Service Phase) conducted concurrently. PREPRODUCTJON -E ngineerin g type test to verify production drawings, processes and materials. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT -Verifies conformance of modified standard item s with essentia l military charact eristics. RECONDITIONING -Assures conforma n ce with appropriate specifications of renovated, repaired, overhauled or rebuilt materiel. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ACCEPTANCE -Confirms fulfillment of all specifications of development contra ct. RESEARCH -Confirm s concept. SURVEILLANCE -Determines extent of deterioration in storage. TEST GROUPS SUITABILITY TESTS -Those for w h ich TE'COM is responsible for establishing test obj-ectives, preparation and approval of p lan of test, and the processing and distribution of the report of test. Satisfactory results of this category of test normally lead t o type cla ss ifica tion. CUSTOMER TESTS -Those which TECOM perform s as a service for the requesting a gency and in which the objectives, plan of test and distribution of the report of test are t h e responsibility of t h e requester. IN -HOUSE TESTS-Those which are interna l to TECOM for the study, developm en t, inst a llation or fabrication of test instrumentation/facilities or the study, development or modification of t est procedures and test t echniques. * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1975-626-696/264 3·1 TECOM -U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command AMC -U.S. Army Materiel Command TRADOC-U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command FORSCOM -U.S. Army Forces Command OTEA -U.S. Army Operational Test and Evaluation Agency (The U.S. Army Operational Test and Evaluation Agency (OTEA), with headquarters at Ft. Belvoir, VA, is a new organization conducting tests of Army materiel. Where TECOM tests are oriented towards the technical performance of the new item or system, OTEA tests are designed to examine the system for military suitability, utility and effectiveness and to determine the impact on doctrine, tactics, organization and integrated logistics, support resulting from fielding the new system.) 111 iMilli~Ulli~'ii![~ii~iiifl~lll , 3 9072 02198561 3