Impact of the defense Critical Technologies Plan on weapon systems Test and Evaluation

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the impact of the Critical Technologies Plan (CTP) on planning and budgeting activities associated with weapons systems Test and Evaluation (T&E). It discusses the intent and purpose of the CTP and develops the role and functional areas of T&E. Lastly, it analyzes the relationship between the objectives and processes involved in weapon systems T&E and the purpose of the CTP. The CTP is deemed to have a significant impact on T&E. Thirteen out of 20 critical technologies are concluded to be capable of making major contributions in 11 of the 13 T&E functional areas. It is recommended that personnel from the Deputy Director, Defense Research and Engineering (Test and Evaluation) be placed on the working group responsible for developing the CTP. It is also recommended that the T&E community view the CTP not only as a method of anticipating future weapons, but as a process to acquire and advance T&E technologies.