About OPTEVFOR

The Operational Test and Evaluation Force is designated by the Chief of Naval Operations to be the Navy’s sole independent agency for Operational Test and Evaluation. The Force Commander is responsible to the CNO to provide objective assessments on the effectiveness and suitability of systems under test in support of Navy and DoD acquisition programs, and how those systems affect mission accomplishment by Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Soldiers.

OPTEVFOR traces its origin to the final months of WWII, and until the early 1970s it was an operational command tasked primarily with fleet introduction of new weapons and development of tactics. In 1971, in response to Congressional and Secretary of Defense initiatives to improve the defense material acquisition process, OPTEVFOR’s responsibilities were expanded to include assessments during the Research and Development process, and OPTEVFOR began reporting directly to the CNO.

Today, OPTEVFOR is authorized to directly liaison with heads of developing agencies for all technical matters relating to Navy research, development, test, and evaluation. The staff, which includes active duty and civilian personnel with technical experience from myriad backgrounds and services, is organized along flexible lines which give primary consideration to type of warfare and project administration. OPTEVFOR maintains detachments and operational control over test squadrons at several locations across the country.

Contact the PAO: usn.hampton-roads.optevfor-norva.list.pao@us.navy.mil
Contact the Webmaster: usn.hampton-roads.optevfor-norva.list.webmaster@us.navy.mil