AFOTEC

The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) was established in 1974 as a direct reporting unit of the United States Air Force. Its primary mission is to conduct independent, objective, and rigorous operational testing and evaluation of new and modified Air Force systems to determine their effectiveness and suitability for combat use. Headquartered at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, AFOTEC personnel operate at numerous locations across the United States and occasionally abroad. Over the decades, AFOTEC has played a key role in ensuring that advanced technologies and weapon systems meet the demands of real-world military operations before full-scale deployment.