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STATEMENT
OF
THOMAS P. CHRISTIE
DIRECTOR, OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION
BEFORE
THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
MILITARY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND MILITARY
PROCUREMENT SUBCOMMITTEES
JUNE 27, 2002
Chairman
Hunter, Chairman Weldon, members of the
Subcommittees, I thank you for the opportunity
to appear before you and discuss the
responsibilities of the office of the Director
of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)
in the current plans for the development of the
Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).
As
Lieutenant General Kadish has described on
several occasions, BMDS will be developed and
acquired using a new strategy, incorporating a
phased introduction of missile defense
capability, based on evolving technology. DOT&E's role in this process is to monitor the
demonstration of these critical technologies,
advise on Missile Defense Agency (MDA) goals and
plans, and assess the adequacy of BMDS testing. Traditional operational test (OT) oversight will apply once
capabilities are transitioned to the Services
for acquisition and fielding.
Statute
requires that I review and approve test plans
for both operational and live fire testing, as
well as oversee and evaluate these test
programs. Live
fire testing in particular requires early
involvement in the system development phase. Aside from live fire testing, my role in the development of
BMDS elements is advisory in nature, and I will
monitor and assess the results of the testing of
new technologies.
In response to the FY02 Defense
Authorization Act, I will provide a report to
Congress each year by the 15th of
February, which details my assessment of the
adequacy and sufficiency of the Missile Defense
Agency's test program.
I will also report on the results of
initial operational testing, which characterizes
the operational capabilities of BMDS elements
that are preparing for transition to Service
acquisition programs.
In
order to effectively execute these reporting
responsibilities, I plan to remain engaged with
BMDS development through the Missile Defense
Support Group and staff interaction with MDA, at
both system and element levels.
I have been working with General Kadish
to improve our visibility into MDA programs and
increase my staff's involvement in planning
and working group activities.
This process has been the focus of
considerable attention from Congress and the
media. General
Kadish has assured me that DOT&E will have
access to any data I need to fulfill my
oversight responsibilities.
As our involvement increases at the
working level, I am confident that appropriate
access to detailed programmatic information will
similarly improve.
Mr.
Chairman, let me say that I am also confident I
will be able perform meaningful and
comprehensive assessments of MDA testing and
system performance, and submit the required
reports to Congress.
I also wish to express my concern that
reductions to program funding levels have
historically reduced the resources a program
manager can devote to testing.
In the case of BMDS, I do not believe the
Department can afford to compromise on either
the scope or depth of testing needed to
characterize the capabilities of the various
missile defense elements against projected
threats
I
would be pleased to answer any questions you may
have.
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