Digital Test and Evaluation

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) is undergoing a Digital Transformation (DT), which will affect all acquisition processes in some way. As documents are replaced with digital models, the existing processes will be required to facilitate emerging concepts like the Rapid Acquisition Process (RAP) and Test and Evaluation as a Continuum (TEaaC). Traditional Test and Evaluation (T&E) will be augmented by automated digital testing in all program lifecycle phases. Digital testing will rely on many forms of digital models, including Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), linked together via a digital thread and an Authoritative Source of Truth (ASOT). Validation of such digital artifacts will be paramount in assuring system developers and test engineers use accurate and credible models for decisions. This paper proposes a model-based validation technique, details a proof-of-concept, and describes how it may enable future acquisition.