Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center

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Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
Shield of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
Active	4 April 1983 – present (as Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center) 1 January 1974 – 4 April 1983 (as Air Force Test and Evaluation Center) (50 years, 7 months)[1]
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Direct Reporting Unit
Garrison/HQ	Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, U.S.
Decorations	Air Force Organization Excellence Award[1]
Website	www.afotec.af.mil
Commanders
Commander	Maj Gen Michael R. Drowley
Vice Commander	Col Alicia D. Abrams

Located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center is a direct reporting unit of Headquarters, United States Air Force. It is the Air Force independent test agency responsible for testing, under operationally realistic conditions, new systems being developed for Air Force and multi-service use.

AFOTEC employs more than 600 military and civilian personnel at its headquarters and four detachments located at Kirtland AFB (NM), Eglin AFB, (FL), Hill AFB (UT), Edwards AFB (CA), and Nellis AFB (NV) respectfully, as well as multiple operating locations around the country. In 2021, the former detachment at Peterson AFB (CO) was transferred to the United States Space Force.

Test teams conduct tests at selected sites; collect, analyze and evaluate the data; and prepare formal reports. The teams are managed by AFOTEC and include personnel from the operating and supporting commands who will eventually employ these systems.

AFOTEC's independent and objective evaluations of how well systems will meet operational requirements provide a vital link between the developer and user. They are key elements of the system acquisition approval process.

Operational tests are designed to address critical issues regarding a system's performance in combat-like environments when operated by field personnel. They seek to answer questions about how safe, effective, reliable, maintainable, compatible, and logistically supportable new Air Force systems will be.

The results of AFOTEC's tests, normally conducted on prototype and pre-production models, play an important role in Air Force and DOD acquisition decisions. Test results also identify deficiencies requiring corrective action.