Annex TTA Descriptions v1

The T&E/S&T Program is charged to enable development of technologies required to test and evaluate future warfighting capabilities. To do this the Program uses multiple Test Technology Areas (TTAs), where each either focuses on emerging warfighting capabilities within a specified technology genre (as discussed later in this document) that present T&E challenges, or focuses on a broader infrastructure challenge (such as, significantly improving range instrumentation or transforming test range data communications). Each TTA is executed by a team led by an Executing Agent (EA), who is a Government employee that typically works at a Service T&E field organization. While the EA works for a particular Service, the TTA addresses test technology needs spanning DoD-wide, across all three Services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) as well as other DoD organizations (such as the Missile Defense Agency). A prime responsibility of the EA is to lead a multi-Service, subject matter expert working group, consisting of members of the DoD S&T and T&E communities, to formulate and/or validate the topics of interest for the BAA issued for the TTA. Each TTA manages a portfolio of technology development projects. Details about each TTA’s charter, sub-categorized technology domain descriptions, and test technology shortfall focus areas are listed in later sections within this document per hyperlinks below: Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence Test (AAIT)
Advanced Instrumentation Systems Technology (AIST)
Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, and Software Intensive Systems Test (C4T) Cyberspace Test Technology (CTT)
Directed Energy Test (DET)
Electronic Warfare Test (EWT)
High Speed Systems Test (HSST)
Space Systems Test (SST)
Spectrum Efficient Technology (SET)

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Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence Test (AAIT) led by U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, MD. Formerly known as Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Test (UAST) in prior BAA releases, AAIT develops technologies that significantly advance the science of testing unmanned and autonomous systems (UASs), which encompasses artificial intelligence and machine learning, to improve the safety and user trust in UAS tests and operations. Technologies developed under this TTA include test planning for UASs, test execution and control of UASs, and assessment of UAS performance. The goal of this TTA is to develop technologies that effectively address the challenges specific to testing Artificial Intelligence-based and autonomous systems for operations across the full spectrum of battlespace environments. The overarching goal of AAIT is to increase user trust in AI-based and autonomous systems.