ABSTRACT
Test and evaluation (T&E) is a powerful and evolving discipline designed to inform decision makers to successfully deal with the development and operation of modern systems complexity. T&E is the process of assessing validity or reliability of a system or component at various stages of its life cycle against a set of requirements and specifications through testing. T&E applies throughout the entire system life cycle and involves both the customer and the contractor. This chapter provides an overview of tools and methods and their evolution for better management of T&E as a significant part of system design and development projects. The six-sigma test methods are inherently focused on preview of models and simulations before decisions to commit to full development and full production. The threat of greater interconnectivity and information flow is countered by greater interconnectivity of the representative test systems. Testing of autonomous systems requires establishing, like all other capabilities, assurance of functionality.
