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BMDS test Strategy The fielded BMDS will support continued development and testing of new and evolving technologies. The ability to test and operate concurrently allows MDA to pursue a wide range of flight and ground test scenarios in diverse basing modes and to collect an increasing amount of data. The MDA test program will increase the complexity and opera-tional realism as the BMDS spiral development progresses. Concurrent Test, Training, and Operations A concurrent test, training, and operations capability is de- signed to meet the simultaneous requirements of defending the United States from ballistic missile attack while continu- ing to develop system capabilities through spiral upgrades. Concurrent test, training, and operations require MDA to collaborate closely with Combatant Commanders to ensure mission success. The MDA Operations Center works in harmony with the Combatant Commands to reserve and apportion test assets through a formal Asset Management process. An effective training program is critical to system operational readiness, combat effectiveness, and overall performance. MDA is fielding a Distributed Multi-Echelon Training System to enable crews, staffs, supporting head- quarters, and command authorities to maintain proficiency in the challenges facing them as they operate the BMDS while supporting training from worldwide operating loca- tions. System-Level Testing Process With the evolution of the BMDS, testing needs have expanded beyond those of the individual elements into a system-wide approach. System-level test events, document-ed in the Integrated Master Test Plan, involve one or more elements acting to verify the capability of the system in one or more of the Engagement Sequence Groups. Planning for each system test begins with an outline of test objectives and requirements, developed cooperatively with the systems engineers, program elements, and the BMDS Operational Test Agency (OTA) Team. The mission of the BMDS OTA Team is to provide independent operational assessments of the BMDS. System test objectives and requirements are tailored to factor in the needs of participating elements, the avail- ability and capabilities of test tools, and the configuration constraints imposed by the test venues. From these system test objectives and requirements, test planners consider a collection of testing and simulation events and scenarios (e.g., modeling and simulation, war games, ground tests, and flight tests) to determine which event would be most suit-able to meet the objectives and requirements. BMDS test managers design component test programs to support the Integrated Master Test Plan and their participation in the overall system-level test program. Warfighter Participation The U.S. Combatant Commanders and the Military Services have a critical leadership role in the development, integra-tion, and operational employment of existing and future missile defense capabilities. Therefore, MDA works in close collaboration with the Combatant Commanders and the Military Services through a Warfighter Involvement Process and various other venues such as exercises, war games, and seminars. This process is structured to generate opportuni-ties to collaborate with the warfighters in defining, advocat-ing, and prioritizing requirements for additional system ca-pabilities. The process also allows MDA to have a standard approach for documenting, assessing, and implementing modifications to fielded system capabilities and configura- tions, as well as requirements for training, logistical support, and long-term sustainment of fielded capabilities. This col-laboration helps warfighters develop operational concepts, formulate logistical sustainment policies and procedures, conduct training, and facilitate timely fielding of missile defense capability.