Budget cuts to DOD’s independent weapons testing office draw fire, raise eyebrows

Budget cuts to DOD’s independent weapons testing office draw fire, raise eyebrows

(Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS).) “I hope this damn thing works . . .” It’s the caption of a military cartoon that Robert Behler, the Pentagon's former chief weapons tester, says once hung outside his office -- depicting a World War I soldier preparing to throw a hand grenade. The job of Behler’s former organization -- the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) --…

Gutting military testing office may be the deadliest move yet

With the stroke of a pen, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has gutted the Pentagon’s weapon testing office.His order is intended to “eliminate any non-statutory or redundant functions” by reducing the office to 30 civilian employees and 15 assigned military personnel. The order also terminates contractor support for the testing office.The ostensible reason for the change is to save $300 million at a time when billions are being added to the def…