By Mr. James (JC) Cochran, Military Test Plans Analyst, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command (Editor’s note: The Airborne drop test in the article below was conducted before COVID19 ramifications were fully understood. The U.S. Army Operational Test Command continues developing and planning equipment testing operations to ensure all advances […]
readiness
Field Artillery Soldiers test self-propelled Howitzer upgrade reliability
By Capt. Matt Campbell, Test Officer, Fire Support Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs YUMA PROVING GROUND, Arizona — Fourteen Field Artillery Soldiers here tested new breech upgraded components on the M109A7 self-propelled Howitzer, aimed at increasing the system’s overall reliability. The M109A7 is currently fielded to three battalions and will eventually […]
Airborne test jumpers apply risk reduction tests before equipment tests begin
By Mr. Mike Shelton, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — Test jumpers here are making sure Special Operations Forces military freefall (MFF) parachutists can safely use their rucksacks without compromising their missions. Risk reduction testing begins inside vertical wind tunnels, which simulates MFF conditions. Airborne […]
Refueling, rearming system tested by low-velocity air drop at Ft. Bragg improves readiness
By Mr. James Cochran and Mr. William Slaven, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — Aviation support Soldiers here recently tested an attack helicopter refueling and rearming system by air-dropping it out of U.S. Air Force cargo aircraft. The Forward Area Rearm and Refueling Point (FARRP) […]
Texas college students explore government job options with equipment testing unit
By Michael M. Novogradac, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas — Twenty-one students from five Central Texas-area colleges took part in a Career Exploration Day here Tuesday with the Army unit responsible for testing all new and modernized equipment. A short briefing began the day-long event, with […]
4th Infantry Division Soldiers test new battlefield smoke generating system
By Capt. Christopher Biddie, Test Officer, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT CARSON, Colorado — 4th Infantry Division Soldiers here finished the final phases of testing a new battlefield smoke-producing system to conceal units during combat. The Screen Obscuration Module (SOM), which can be mounted to any vehicle or used dismounted, produces a billow of […]
