Read the memo-F-35 Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) in jeopardy

Below is the memo in reference to an earlier post about the head of the U.S. Department of Defense Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) issuing a warning about the status of the operational test plan for the F-35. The text version of memo is below. Original source link here.
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AUG 21 2012

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1700 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1700

OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION

MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ACQUISITION, TECHNOLOGY AND LOGISTICS JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMANDER, AIR FORCE OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION CENTER COMMANDER, OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION FORCE

SUBJECT: F-35 Test and Evaluation Master Plan

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you of the concerns I have regarding the content of the latest version of Revision 4 of the F-35 Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) being prepared for coordination to support the 7 September review of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program by the Defense Acquisition Board.

-The test resources and plans needed to address the issues explained in detail in my February 3, 2012 memorandum regarding JSF electronic warfare capabilities (and those of other ongoing and future aircraft programs) have been provided to the JSF program office; however, program office staff have indicated specification of these resources may be excluded from the draft of the TEMP transmitted for review and approval by the Services. I will not approve a TEMP that lacks specification of these critical test resources.

-The cost of executing the operational test and evaluation (OT&E) sequence contained in the draft TEMP has been reduced significantly relative to estimates provided at a Joint Operational Test Team Executive Committee meeting last month, apparently to meet the budget constraint provided by the JSF program office. Until the details of the changes are provided to me and reviewed independently by my office to assure they are reasonable, I will not approve the TEMP. The plans for and content of testing must be determined by the data that need to be obtained to support a comprehensive and rigorous operational evaluation---not by budget targets set by the program office.

-Overlap of developmental testing with the start of operational test activity including spin-up for the Block 2B and 3F operational evaluations remains a concern. As stated in the approval memo I signed for Revision 3 of the TEMP, whatever overlap occurs must not preclude the achievement of the entrance criteria for OT&E contained in the TEMP prior to the operational test readiness review. Further, to assure infeasible overlap of developmental and operational testing does not occur, the TEMP must contain clear entry criteria for the start of each of the spin-up periods. Although it may be possible to conduct some certification activities during the spin-up periods, I will not approve a TEMP that imposes unrealistic and unachievable schedule risk on the conduct of OT&E.

-The purpose and justification for the Block 2 operational evaluation needs to be provided in the TEMP as something more than risk reduction for the Block 3 lOT&E. As I indicated in my August 10, 2012 memo to the Secretaries of the Air Force and the Navy, the Block 2 evaluation must be conducted to evaluate the combat mission areas which the Services expect to employ Block 2B configured aircraft.




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-Cuckoo in the nest--U.S. DOD DOT&E F-35 report is out

F-35 Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) in jeopardy

The head of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) office recently informed the DOD F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program decision-makers  that a comprehensive testing plan known as the Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) will not be approved over questions of the troubled fighter program's progress, reports AOL Defense.

The DOD OT&E boss, Michael Gilmore wrote a memo dated 21 August to various DOD officials stating that the F-35 program leadership must specify how they will test the aircraft's electronic warfare capabilities, match up the flight testing program to funding as part of a credible plan and address concerns  about "overlap of developmental testing with the start of operational test activity".

Until he is satisfied on those matters, the TEMP will not be approved. AOL Defense also reports that Gilmore wrote that he won't approve the TEMP if it "imposes unrealistic and unachievable schedule risk" on operational testing.

While AOL Defense reports that Gilmore "does not have the authority to make programmatic decisions", this is no small matter.

Besides OT&E doing their job of warning about faulty DOD weapons test plans, the office is also performing continuous CYA in case the F-35 goes even more off the rails than it already has.

This also makes one wonder what the United States Marketing Corps boss, General Amos, is thinking if the jet is no where near being capable of operational test which is needed to have a usable go-to-war configured jet.