Joint Test and Evaluation (JT&E)

FY23 marked the reestablishment of the Joint Test and Evaluation (JT&E) Program and the return
of the Joint Test process following the President’s Budget 2023. The JT&E Program continued to
execute warfighter-initiated test projects by managing 2 joint tests and 10 quick reaction tests
(QRTs) to support development of non-materiel solutions to warfighter-identified problems. Specific
FY23 activities demonstrated a trend toward addressing the integration of emerging weapons
capabilities into tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP), concepts of employment (CONEMPs),
and concepts of operations (CONOPS).

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW MISSION
The JT&E Program was established in 1972 in The JT&E Program assists the warfighter in
response to the 1970 Blue Ribbon Defense Panel solving joint operational problems and issues
Report recommending that responsibility for joint by developing and testing proposed solutions
operational testing be vested in an OSD staff using OT&E methodology. The resulting products
element. In 2002, management and responsibility are non-materiel solutions and reports detailing
for the JT&E Program transferred to DOT&E the operational performance of the joint force
from the then Under Secretary of Defense for in contested, multi-domain operations.
Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Today, the
JT&E Program considers emerging technologies
and the increasingly complex and dynamic,
FY23 KEY ACTIVITIES
joint, multi-domain operational environment
to plan and execute test projects intended to » JOINT TESTS
deliver non-materiel solutions and enhance
the lethality, suitability, resilience, survivability, During FY23, the JT&E Program started two joint
agility, and responsiveness of the joint force. test projects following the reestablishment of the
JT&E Program in the President’s Budget 2023. A
The Services and combatant commands (CCMDs) joint test averages about two years in duration and
help identify critical challenges that need to be is preceded by a six-month joint feasibility study.
addressed in their areas of responsibility to maintain
superiority across joint, multi-domain operations. Joint CONUS Directed Over-The-
The JT&E Program provides OT&E management Horizon Radar (J-CONDOR)
and expertise to develop, test, and validate joint
non-materiel solutions, including agile warfighting Joint forces will face challenges in maintaining
TTP, CONEMPs, and CONOPS. In turn, the Services freedom of maneuver in complex multi-domain
and CCMDs provide leadership and support to anti-access/area denial environments. Adversary
the planning and execution of JT&E projects and and friendly forces have fielded variations of over-
their successful transition to the warfighter. the-horizon radar (OTHR) that can detect air and
surface targets at long ranges. The OTHR operates
The JT&E Program focuses on joint requirements
by transmitting high frequency radio waves that
that cannot be economically or effectively tested
are reflected off the ionosphere into a surveillance
within each of the individual Services and CCMDs.
area that can provide target cueing for adversary
Given the increased integration and dependencies
long-range weapon systems. In August 2023, JT&E
of platform, network, and command and control
initiated the J-CONDOR Joint Test to develop an
(C2) solutions across the domains, JT&E’s mission
overarching CONOPS that informs combatant
and unique focus on system-of-systems testing is
commanders of adversary OTHR capabilities and
becoming increasingly critical to the Department’s
mitigation strategies. The J-CONDOR CONOPS will
strategic objectives. JT&E’s extensive use of OT&E
include TTP for tactical commanders that synergizes
testing techniques, workforce talents, and reach-
maneuver with electronic systems and capabilities to
back are essential to the adequate evaluation of
counter detection and tracking by adversary OTHR.
the effectiveness of proposed solutions needed
The J-CONDOR Joint Test includes several test events
in operational plans across the CCMDs.
over the course of the two-year project utilizing air,
maritime, and electromagnetic warfare resources
to evaluate the J-CONDOR CONOPS and TTP.

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Joint Conventional Nuclear In March 2023, JT&E initiated the ATTACKS QRT to
Integration (J-CNI) develop and validate TTP to optimize the automation
provided by ATTACKS to support the Counterfire Task
Conventional and nuclear integration requires Force mission. FY24 testing will use a multi-domain
seamless planning and operation of joint and counterfire team, airborne fighter/reconnaissance
combined conventional and nuclear forces, in aircraft, and surface counterfire platforms with the
sequence and in parallel, across the spectrum of Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System. The
conflict, up to and through a nuclear exchange Tactical Air Control Party and Tactical Command
environment. The scope of planning and execution and Control systems will integrate this software into
of such operations encompasses more than current C2 systems aiming to nest ATTACKS with
conventional support to nuclear operations and emerging CJADC2 efforts including Advanced Battle
requires full-spectrum integration of non-nuclear Management System, Project Convergence, and
capabilities to enhance or complement nuclear Project Overmatch. ATTACKS will address tactical C2,
options. In August 2023, JT&E initiated the J-CNI voice and data link communication, and fire support
Joint Test to develop, test, and evaluate a CONOPS coordination measures required to employ the system
for defining integrated conventional and nuclear most efficiently against two brigade-size long-range
options that are executable within a pre-synchronized artillery forces attacking simultaneously both within
timeline and effectively assign these missions to and outside of defined garrison boundaries.
the responsible organizations. The J-CNI Joint
The ATTACKS QRT will enable broader CJADC2 by
Test is expected to conclude in November 2025.
operationally optimizing a multi-domain kill-web of
mobile C2 nodes, sensors, and shooters. The QRT
» QUICK REACTION TESTS is intended to prove that U.S. Forces Korea C2 of
counterfires are more redundant and survivable
During FY23, the JT&E Program managed 10 QRT
than a structure reliant on fixed facilities. The
projects. QRTs provide a faster response to urgent
ATTACKS-developed TTP will propose changes to
joint needs but must focus their objectives to execute
Combined Air Component Commander Wartime
within the shortened, 12-month contract duration.
Baseline Special Instructions and the Combined
Automated Tactical Targeting and Forces Command Publication 3-1-1, Combined
Joint Fires. The QRT team is expected to complete
Counterfire Kill-Web System (ATTACKS)
development of the initial ATTACKS TTP in 1QFY24.
During large-scale combat operations, tactical
CONOPS for Novel Information
operators within the U.S. Forces Korea Counterfire
Task Force Air Component Command must employ
Warfare Capabilities (CNIWC)
and disseminate counterfire against North Korea’s
U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and
long-range artillery threats efficiently, at scale, and
overall DoD mission success relies on the ability
within their vulnerability window. The ATTACKS uses
to optimize information warfare capability. In
joint sensors and the existing Combined Joint All-
October 2022, JT&E initiated the CNIWC QRT to
Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) software
develop and test a Joint Information Warfare
to automate data transfer between disparate
CONOPS that will be executed by USSTRATCOM.
counterfire systems using machine learning. By
CNIWC began work in September 2023 to support
automating disparate data links, U.S. forces in
development, testing, and validation of a stand-alone
South Korea can reduce the total time required to
CONOPS, which is expected to result in changes
neutralize the long-range artillery threat from minutes
to multiple joint and Service doctrine by 4QFY24.
to seconds, preventing potential catastrophic loss
of life in the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area.

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Joint Aviation Signature Management Joint Distributed Command
Analysis, Application and and Control (J-DC2)
Rehearsals Tool (JA-SMAART)
Changes in military capabilities, resource allocations,
The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence requires and emerging technologies will dictate how the United
a standardized and repeatable test methodology to States plans and executes a future J-DC2 capability.
evaluate electromagnetic signatures of slow flying, In response to these changes, USSTRATCOM J8 and
joint tactical aircraft. In FY23, JT&E initiated the JA- the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications
SMAART QRT to develop TTP and a series of models Enterprise Center require a CONOPS for a future
to directly improve aircraft survivability in contested, nuclear C2 capability that is flexible, resilient, and
congested, and constrained electromagnetic distributed. In July 2022, the J-DC2 QRT began work
spectrum operations. Assisted by Air Force and with the sponsor, other CCMDs, the Joint Staff,
Navy organizations that have electromagnetic U.S. agencies, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force, and
signatures modeling capabilities, JA-SMAART will additional relevant stakeholders to develop a draft
produce standardized models by aircraft type and CONOPS for future nuclear C2. The J-DC2 QRT
configuration that support current mission planning conducted tabletop exercises at Offutt AFB, Nebraska,
analysis tools. The resulting models are intended in June and August 2023 to evaluate and validate the
to increase aviation combat survivability through CONOPS. The final product is a validated CONOPS
a reduction in aircraft susceptibility in mission that will inform the development and implementation
planning and use in multi-domain operations. Upon of future nuclear C2 operations to achieve positive
completion in FY24, the project is expected to deliver operational outcomes for J-DC2 platforms.
a validated test methodology for future use as well
as accurate, realistic susceptibility models that have Joint-Global Hypersonic Operational
an immediate benefit to the warfighter and use in Sensor Tasking (J-GHOST)
joint aviation mission planning software suites.
The joint warfighter requires doctrine to deconflict,
Joint Development of Hypersonic coordinate, and integrate attacks that include
Weapons Employment (J-DoHE) emerging technologies and newly fielded capabilities
within emerging Space Domain Awareness, Missile
USSTRATCOM J3 requires a hypersonic weapons Defense, and Missile Warning doctrine. In October
CONEMP that addresses decision timeline, fire 2022, JT&E initiated the J-GHOST QRT to develop,
request procedures, and communication paths test, and deliver validated Space Domain Awareness
for hypersonic weapons. In January 2022, JT&E CONOPS and associated TTP to rapidly task external
initiated the J-DoHE QRT to develop and test a sensors and internal missile defense sensors in real-
CONEMP based on the CONOPS developed by time during advanced trans-regional threat events.
the Joint Hypersonic Strike Planning, Execution, The goal is to operationally improve responsiveness
Command and Control Joint Test in 2020. During for no-notice tasking of Missile Warning, Missile
FY23, the QRT team conducted two field tests Defense, Space Domain Awareness, and other
at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, to validate the J-DoHE sensors to support detection and improve track
Hypersonic Weapons CONEMP, which focused on custody and reporting of time-sensitive, multi-domain,
decision and execution communication flow at the trans-regional, advanced threats, and high-interest
operational level. Upon completion in July 2023, space events. J-GHOST began test activities in
the J-DoHE QRT delivered the CONEMP to position August 2023 to support the Missile Defense Agency
USSTRATCOM to successfully plan and employ and U.S. Space Command in jointly delivering
long-range hypersonic weapons upon initial fielding. tested and validated CONOPS and TTP to enable
warfighters to detect, track, and report on advanced
threats. The J-GHOST team includes participants
from six CCMDs, the Services, the Missile Defense

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Agency, and Australian defense organizations. The Environment (OIE). OIE cells face challenges in
team expects to complete the QRT in 4QFY24. assessing social media, coordinating messaging,
countering adversaries, and adapting strategies
Joint Interface Control Cell for commanders’ intent essential for approved
Resiliency (JICC-R) narratives and information advantage. OIE analyst
procedures lack commander-aligned efficiency,
Joint Interface Control Cell personnel need the ability which leads to coordination gaps among Service
to detect, respond to, and recover from issues on OIE cells and hinders timely actions. In January
data links. In March 2023, JT&E initiated the JICC-R 2022, JT&E initiated the J-OPTiK QRT to formalize
QRT to develop TTP for Joint Interface Control and validate TTP for digital and social media
Cell personnel. JICC-R is focused on improving campaigns to cover deep analysis, course of
operational resilience in the event of data integrity action development, and synergistic messaging
loss across military activities. The QRT team began for use of social media accounts. The J-OPTiK
work in October 2023 to support testing, analysis, developed tested products that include a TTP,
and evaluation required to produce the JICC-R TTP. BEND guidebook, and corresponding Spot Report.
The project is expected to conclude in 4QFY24. These products were based on the 16 information
actions of the BEND framework known as “the
Joint Operation NOBLE EAGLE Link- four Bs” – back, build, bridge, boost; “the four
16 Tactical Data Link (JOLT) Es” – engage, explain, excite, enhance; “the four
Ns” – negate, neutralize, narrow, neglect; and “the
Until recently, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Rotary Wing four Ds” – dismiss, distort, dismay, distract.
Air Intercept (RWAI) aircraft were not equipped with
a tactical data link system and relied only on visual The J-OPTiK products describe the process for
information and aural advisories from the Eastern planning multi-domain OIE series in the joint
and Western Air Defense Sectors. The Coast Guard community at the tactical level to enhance warfighter
Deputy Commandant for Operations, with advisory effectiveness in the information environment.
direction from North American Aerospace Defense With the participation of OIE analysts from various
Command (NORAD), established a requirement Services, the two J-OPTiK field tests in California
that all USCG MH-65 aircraft participating in RWAI and Hawaii validated product effectiveness and
missions have a tactical data link capability to enable support for OIE analysts in crafting recommended
real-time visual situational awareness among active courses of action. These two events utilized synthetic
air intercept participants. In October 2022, JT&E data from Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for
initiated the JOLT QRT to develop and assess TTP for Computational Analysis of Social and Organizational
RWAI missions flown in conjunction with Air Force or Systems, in partnership with the Office of Naval
Navy aircraft and Army Ground Based Air Defenses Research. The introduction of synthetic X (formerly
controlled by the Eastern and Western Air Defense known as Twitter) content into an OIE wargame
Sectors in the Continental NORAD Region. The JOLT training environment supported assessments of
QRT team is jointly developing the TTP with USCG operator outcomes in real-world scenarios and
and Joint Staff J6 using a test-fix-test approach their ability to effectively apply the results within
with the first field test occurring at USCG facilities the information environment. The J-OPTiK QRT
in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in November 2023. The team concluded that the tested and validated
JOLT QRT is expected to complete in 3QFY24. products empower OIE analysts to evaluate the
information environment demonstrating effective
Joint Operations in the Information responses and strategic information actions.
Environment Playbook Toolkit (J-OPTiK)
The following OIE cell participants have moved
toward implementation of the products: Command
Digital and social media have become the new
Naval Forces Japan, the Army’s 1st Multi-Domain
battleground for Operations in the Information

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Task Force, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Command as the initial product owner and user. The
Group Psychological Operations Company, the Air revised MOSAICS TTP and CONOPS have enhanced
Force’s 553 Intelligence Squadron, 188th Wing of ICS cyber survivability education and training as
the Arkansas Air National Guard, and the Publicly well as security at locations where the U.S. Navy
Available Information Center of Excellence. The is programmed to install MOSAICS systems.
J-OPTiK QRT test products transitioned to the Joint
Information Operations Warfare Center in September
2023 to ensure seamless warfighter access to the
products for daily operations. Possible integration
of J-OPTiK products under consideration by Joint
Information Operations Warfare Center for warfighter
usability includes an annex in Joint Publication 3-04,
Information in Joint Operations; conversion to an Air
Land Sea Space Application Center multi-Service TTP;
and inclusion in a Joint Knowledge Online course.

More Situational Awareness for Industrial

Control Systems (MOSAICS)

The U.S. military is dependent on critical

infrastructure to execute its mission. In the event
of a contentious conflict, it is anticipated the
adversary will conduct an unattributed cyberattack
via proxy on U.S. critical infrastructure. The likely
intent of such action is to slow the military’s ability
to generate forces and unleash logistics support
of global operations in defense of allies. U.S. Indo-
Pacific Command and U.S. Northern Command
signed a joint letter in 2016 requesting development
of capabilities to protect DoD Industrial Control
Systems (ICS). In response, NORAD and U.S.
Northern Command J4 requested the development of
processes and procedures to enable ICS/Operational
Technology operators and cyber defenders to
fully detect, analyze, mitigate, and recover their
systems from cyber interference or attack.

In January 2022, JT&E initiated the MOSAICS QRT

to refine TTP and CONOPS to help prevent proxy
cyberattacks and allow the U.S. projection of force
to change the operational outcome. The MOSAICS
QRT conducted two field tests at Port Hueneme,
California, in March and June 2023, resulting in
validated products that include a revised TTP and
CONOPS for future MOSAICS systems employment
across the DoD and private sector. Upon project
completion in September 2023, the test products
transitioned to Naval Facilities Engineering Systems

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