Early Navy OT in the USMC AH-1W helicopter, from 1QFY91 through 2QFY92, found the system not operationally effective and potentially operationally suitable. Fleet introduction was not recommended until a subsequent OPEVAL could demonstrate satisfactory resolution of OT-IIA deficiencies.

OT-IIB in an USMC UH-1N helicopter (in accordance with a DOT&E-approved TEMP and test plan) was completed by COMOPTEVFOR in May 1995, with a finding of operationally effective and suitable and a recommendation for fleet introduction into the UH-1N. Involvement by the Operational Test community in the DT leading to this phase of OT facilitated meaningful use of DT test results and allowed some streamlining of the OT-IIB. DOT&E staff and support analysts observed major portions of OT-IIB testing and data collection.

Since the AN/APR-39A (V)2 RWR is not a major defense acquisition program, no B-LRIP report was produced. The system is covered by language in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1989, Conference Report (H.R. 4481, page 345) which "directed that all future operational test results for RWR update programs be reviewed and approved by the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation, prior to obligation of production funds."

The Navy Milestone (MS) III was approved in 1QFY96. AN/APR -39A (V)2 systems are intended as the standard RWR for the UH-1N, AH-1, V-22, VH-60, HH-60, SH-60, CH-53, MH-53, KC-130, and the VH-3 aircraft.

The APR-39A (V) 2 and its interfaces are Year 2000 compliant and will meet operational requirements without modification and testing.

There was no OT&E activity during FY98. The first production deliveries are expected in March 1999, with the first follow-on integration in the AH-1W and subsequent integration in HH-60, CH-46, C/MH-53E, and the KC-130. The MV-22 will also utilize the APR-39A (V)2, but will be provided as Contractor Furnished Equipment and tested as part of the MV-22 OPEVAL.

DOT&E reported the IOT&E results in its FY95 Annual Report, and also in an October 1995 Memorandum Report to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research Development and Acquisition), to support the milestone decision authority full-rate production decision. DOT&E found the OT&E of the AN/APR-39A (V)2 adequate and the system operationally effective and suitable as installed in the UH-1N helicopter. When production deliveries commence in March 1999, testing will be conducted on the AH-1W to ensure previous OPEVAL discrepancies have been corrected.

DOT&E recommended that FOT&E be conducted to validate system threat identification and detection range performance (in an operational environment) against the three threats for which sample size was limited during OPEVAL. FOT&E was also recommended to validate maintainability (specifically BIT) under operational conditions, since this part of the OPEVAL was limited by the high reliability of the system during the relatively short IOT&E. FOT&E is required to validate performance when integrated in aircraft besides the UH-1N. FOT&E in the AH-1W and HH-60 is being planned for the FY99-FY01 time frame.