§ 380.3 - Policy.

(a) Within the Department of Defense it is recognized that operational testing is the continuum of realistic, operational field tests conducted by a Military Service independent test agency. Operational testing begins during the development period before a final decision to proceed beyond low rate initial production. this continuum of tests will employ increasing operational realism as engineering design nears its final form to provide an independent measure of development progress and of the ultimate operational effectiveness and suitability of weapon systems, equipment, or munitions, or their components. Operational testing of production (or production-representative) articles is intended to confirm that the items actually tested are effective and suitable for combat.

(b) A follow-on phase or phases of operational testing on production systems, equipment, or munitions, or their components are normally conducted after the decision is made to proceed beyond low rate initial production to assess the operational effectiveness and suitability of any changes made in the systems, equipment, or munitions, or their components.