Follow-on Operational Test & Evaluation (FOT&E)
DAU GLOSSARY DEFINITION
The field test, under realistic conditions, of any item (or key component) of weapons, equipment, or munitions for the purpose of determining the effectiveness and suitability of the weapons, equipment, or munitions for use in combat by typical military users, and the evaluation of the results of such tests.
OT&E: The field test, under realistic conditions, of any item (or key component) of weapons, equipment, or munitions for the purpose of determining the effectiveness and suitability of the weapons, equipment, or munitions for use in combat by typical military users; and the evaluation of the results of such tests.
The Test and Evaluation Management Guide describes FOT&E as follows:
“OT&E activities continue after the FRP decision in the form of FOT&E. The initial phase of FOT&E may be conducted by either the OT&E agency or user commands, depending on Service directives. FOT&E verifies the operational effectiveness and suitability of the production system, determines whether deficiencies identified during IOT&E have been corrected, and evaluates areas not tested during IOT&E due to system limitations. Additional FOT&E may be conducted over the life of the system to refine doctrine, tactics, techniques, and training programs and to evaluate future increments, modifications, and upgrades.
The OT&E agency prepares an OA report at the conclusion of each FOT&E. This report records test results, describes the evaluation accomplished to satisfy critical issues and objectives established for FOT&E, and documents its assessment of resolved deficiencies. Deficiencies that are not corrected are recorded.”