OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1700 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1700

AUG 2' 2018

OPERATIONAL TEST
AND EVALUATION

MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDER, AIR FORCE OPERATIONAL TEST AND
EVALUATION CENTER
COMMANDER, OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION
FORCE
SUBJECT: Readiness for Formal Entry into F-35 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide my guidance regarding the adequacy of
proposed F-35 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) formal entry criteria. To ensure
an operationally relevant and production-representative test of the F-35, formal IOT&E must be
conducted with F-35 software version 30R02, Level 4 mission data files, Autonomic Logistics
Information System software version 3.0, and the same Air-to-Air Range Infrastructure (AARI)
software version throughout formal IOT &E.
The currently fielded operationally-representative software version 30ROO, which I
approved for Pre-I OT&E Increment 2 test activities, was adequate and relevant to conduct the
evaluation of two-ship missions involving lower-end threats. However, software version 30R02,
which is fielding within the next two months, provides the next instantiation of operationally
relevant and production-representative aircraft software that will better support the required
testing to adequately address the remaining mission areas (e.g., Strategic Attack/Air Interdiction,
Offensive Counter Air, Destruction and/or Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses, and Electronic
Attack). With that, I direct software version 30R02 must be used in formal IOT&E.
Additionally, to ensure consistency oftest data collection, the same version of AARI
software should be used throughout formal IOT&E. As stated in the 30 March 2018 approval
memorandum for Pre-I OT&E Increment 2 activities, early test activities must not supersede the
necessary actions to meet the remaining readiness criteria for formal IOT&E, including AARI.
Software version 30ROO has deficiencies with AARI that are addressed in software version
30R02. AARI must be functioning adequately to ensure test results are accurate, understandable,
and defensible. Changing AARI software versions in the midst of IOT &E could potentially
result in inconsistencies in data collection and affect the validity and adequacy of the test and
evaluation.

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 The DOT &E point of contact for the F-3 5 program is Mr. Art McGettrick. He can be
reached at (703) 697-103 8 or at garvin.a.mcgettrick.civ@mail.mil.

Robert F. Behler
Director
cc:
USD (A&S)
USD(R&E)
ASN (RDA)
SAF/AQ
PEO JSF

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