The mission
of the Aviation Test Directorate is articulated in the duties of the director.
Plans, conducts, and reports
manned and unmanned aviation related operational user tests
and experiments.
Provides advice and guidance on all tests related to research, development,
experimentation, and acquisition of aviation systems to higher headquarters,
supported agencies, and customers.
Advises and makes recommendations to the command on aviation and aviation
related issues.
As ATEC/OTC Aviation Officer, coordinates and conducts the ATEC Aviation
Resource Management Survey Program.
With the advent of the Integrated Product
Team approach to system development,
the ATEC System Team was initiated. AVTD personnel serve as integral
players in this process. Alongside members from the Operational Evaluation
Command and the Evaluation Analysis Center, AVTD testers help develop an
integrated approach to test and evaluation requirements.
When doctrine, training,
organization, and equipment involving Army Aviation systems are developed,
they must be tested to ensure they will satisfy the Soldiers' needs in an
operational environment. Our primary mission is to plan, conduct, and report
on these tests and field experiments.
New concepts and items
of materiel require the Aviation Test Directorate to consider their effects
on the total force. To do this, we place regular Soldiers under the most
realistic conditions possible which closely approximate the environment
we expect to use the equipment or concept. We then conduct the test or
experiment and collect data to assess its military effectiveness and suitability.
If the item is a piece of equipment, we also collect data on how reliable
it is and how well it can be maintained and repaired.
While the Aviation Test
Directorate is primarily tasked with conducting a variety of operational
tests of aviation materiel, it also participates in developmental tests
and other types of tests and evaluations. Some types of tests we conduct
include Early User Test and Experimentation (EUTE), Initial Operational
Test and Evaluation (IOTE), Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOTE),
Force Development Test and Experimentation (FDTE), Concept Evaluation Programs
(CEPs), and Customer Tests (CTs).
Although the Aviation
Test Directorate is based at West Fort Hood, Texas, its personnel may be
found performing tests in many parts of the world, such as Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Campbell, KY; Fort Rucker, AL; Hunter-Stewart
Army Airfield, GA, and here at Fort Hood, TX. Less often but more challenging
test locations include Kuwait, National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA;
Yuma Proving Ground, AZ; China Lake Aerial Weapons Center, CA; and White
Sands Missile Range, NM.
The future of the Aviation
Test Directorate extends far beyond the bounds of traditional testing.
In addition to participation in such high-visibility programs as the UH-60M
Blackhawk Helicopter, CH-47F Improved Cargo Helicopter, Light Utility
Helicopter, AH-64D Longbow Apache, and Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, AVTD has established itself as
an integral test member of the Army's digitization effort. Revolutionary
testing concepts will be required to support Army Aviation as it evolves
into the twenty-first century.
As the Army downsizes
and available resources are reduced, the mission of the Aviation Test Directorate
will continue to be an important part of Army Aviation. Our motto--"Fidelis
Operanti" (fidelity to the operator)--appropriately states the commitment
of the directorate to ensuring the Aviation Soldier in the field obtains
the highest quality product in a timely manner.
