Which improvement requires extensive developmental and operational testing to increase an aircraft's range by 20%?

Which improvement requires extensive developmental and operational testing to increase an aircraft's range by 20%?

• A. RDT&E
• B. Procurement
• C. Aircraft range modification
• D. Unresolved supportability issues

Answer: (C)

Significant performance improvements on an aircraft come from a range modification that undergoes a full development and testing cycle. To validate a 20% increase in range, the modification must be designed and analyzed, then subjected to extensive development and operational testing to confirm the gain and ensure safety, reliability, and maintainability across missions. This is why the option describing modifying the aircraft range fits best: it points to a concrete in-service change that requires a formal testing program before fielding. Other options relate to broader activities or sustainment—such as initiating new technologies (development and testing at a program level), simply procuring assets, or addressing supportability—none of which inherently involve the extensive developmental and operational testing needed to prove a substantial range upgrade.

Significant performance improvements on an aircraft come from a range modification that undergoes a full development and testing cycle. To validate a 20% increase in range, the modification must be designed and analyzed, then subjected to extensive development and operational testing to confirm the gain and ensure safety, reliability, and maintainability across missions. This is why the option describing modifying the aircraft range fits best: it points to a concrete in-service change that requires a formal testing program before fielding. Other options relate to broader activities or sustainment—such as initiating new technologies (development and testing at a program level), simply procuring assets, or addressing supportability—none of which inherently involve the extensive developmental and operational testing needed to prove a substantial range upgrade.