Testing to Ensure Compliance with 1% Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Limitations

Abstract : US law regarding cluster munitions prohibits the sale or transfer of technology, export license, or military assistance unless the submunitions do not result in more than 1% unexploded ordnance (UXO) across the range of intended operational environments. Multiple US allies wish to upgrade their capabilities by licensing or otherwise using US technology to improve the performance of their cluster munitions systems. Testing is required to establish compliance with the 1% limit on UXO. Current Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L) guidance requires that a tailored test and evaluation approach is necessary to determine, with reasonable confidence, compliance with the requirement. This paper describes some historical approaches to developmental and operational testing in which one of the goals was munition reliability and demonstrates how variations of these approaches might be applied to meeting legal requirements in the UXO example. Related analyses isolate some of the pitfalls and risks inherent in testing and attempt to provide guidance for best practices to support both statute and guidance.