Episode 3 of the Test Pilot Series has Sunshine interviewing Dan “TOFU” Price, LCDR, USN (ret). These two patch wearers discuss Weapon Developmental Test and Evaluation.

DT&E is the test and evaluation conducted to demonstrate that the engineering, design and development process is complete, demonstrate that the design risks have been minimized and that the system will meet specifications. In essence, a concept has been turned into reality, but before that new weapons system goes to the fleet and even before it goes to Operational Test, it must prove itself in Developmental Test. The rigorous testing imposed on these new systems ensure that the investment made by the military (and your tax dollars) in the weapons system will perform as intended.