Survivability includes the elements of susceptibility, vulnerability, and recoverability. As such, survivability is an important contributor to Operational Effectiveness and Suitability. A survivability assessment should be conducted for all systems under Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) oversight that may be exposed to threat weapons in a combat environment or to combat-induced conditions that may degrade capabilities, whether or not the program is designated for Live-Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E) oversight. For example, unmanned vehicles are not required to undergo survivability LFT&E under 10 USC 2366 , but should be assessed for survivability. The assessment may identify issues to be addressed by testing. [1]
The Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E), OT&E, and LFT&E strategies should be integrated so that the full spectrum of system survivability is assessed in a consistent manner. The Critical Operational Issues (COI) should include the issues to be addressed in the OT&E evaluation of survivability. Personnel survivability must be addressed for systems under LFT&E oversight (reference 10 USC 2366) and should be integrated into the overall system evaluation of survivability conducted under OT&E. [1]
Generally, vulnerability is addressed through LFT&E and susceptibility through OT&E, but there are areas of overlap. Realistic hit distributions are needed for the evaluation of LFT&E results. The OT&E evaluation of susceptibility might identify realistic hit distributions of likely threats, hit/burst points, and representative shot lines that might provide a context for LFT&E vulnerability assessments. Other LFT&E insights available from DT&E and OT&E testing of susceptibility might include information on signatures, employment of countermeasures, and tactics used for evasion of threat weapons. Similarly, LFT&E tests such as Total Ship Survivability trials might provide OT&E evaluators with demonstrations of operability and suitability in a combat environment. [1]
Recoverability addresses the consequences of system damage. Typically, recoverability is primarily addressed by LFT&E. However, in general, tests relating to recoverability from combat damage or from peacetime accidents, battle damage assessment and repair, crashworthiness, crew escape, and rescue capabilities are of interest to both LFT&E and OT&E. [1]
Real Time Casualty Assessment (RTCA) conducted during Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) should be coordinated with LFT&E to ensure that assumptions supporting the RTCA are consistent with LFT&E results. [1]
AcqLinks and References:
- [1] Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG)
- DAU Test and Evaluation Management Guide – Jan 2005
- Website: Title 10 USC 2366 “Survivability testing and lethality testing required before full-scale production”
- Website: 10 USC 2399 “Operational Test and Evaluation of Defense Programs”
Updated: 6/5/2018
