Maneuver Air Directorate (MAD)

The Maneuver Air Directorate (MAD) is one of eight directorates within the United States Army Operational Evaluation Command (OEC). Stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Our team is a blend of military personnel and government civilian employees, all contributing to operational evaluation. The military include Aviation NCOs, Warrant Officers (CW4 and above), Officers (O3 and above), Army Acquisition Officers, and Operations Research Systems Analysts (ORSAs). They manage all test-related activities, from planning to execution, and act as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Complementing them are our civilian employees, many of whom are retired or have prior military service. They bring a wide range of skills, experience, and expertise to their roles as Test and Evaluation Officers, Engineers, and ORSAs.

MAD is responsible for managing and overseeing the test and evaluation of aviation aircraft and associated systems across all testing phases, from development to operations, before they are deployed. This includes supporting the Transformation in Contact (TiC) initiative, managing test events, coordinating with all relevant parties, and analyzing data gathered in realistic, demanding environments to inform senior leader acquisition decisions.

We conduct operational evaluations, a legal requirement under Title 10, to ensure Army Maneuver Air investments yield overmatch in lethality, survivability, and mission effectiveness.

Our approach emphasizes proactive coordination with Acquisition and Aviation stakeholders through the Army’s Continuous Evaluation Campaign (CEC). This data-centric framework accelerates learning and equips senior leaders for informed decision-making. By engaging early and consistently, from development to operational testing, our experts refine test designs and data collection strategies, integrating past lessons and new technologies to guide risk management throughout the system’s lifecycle.

 The CEC team ensures a comprehensive evaluation by organizing operational units, securing training resources, integrating new doctrine from Centers of Excellence (COEs), and sourcing realistic threat equipment from partners like the Army Threat System Management Officer (TSMO) and Center for Countermeasures (CCM).

 In the execution phase, we methodically gather both quantitative data and qualitative feedback during realistic mission scenarios. This process not only evaluates system performance but also enhances unit readiness by exposing them to demanding situations and allows Soldiers to provide immediate feedback, directly shaping system modernization and improvements.