Test and Evaluation Division (TED)

The Test and Evaluation Division (TED) serves as LFSG’s operational testbed for validating equipment, tactics, and organizational concepts under real-world conditions. TED conducts structured field trials, live force-on-force (FoF) wargaming, and experimental exercises to assess the performance, survivability, and effectiveness of light infantry systems.

Through both controlled and unscripted testing, TED delivers the ground truth necessary to confirm or challenge assumptions developed by LFSG’s Research and Analysis Division (RAD). Every capability, concept, or organizational design must prove its merit through practical experimentation before being recommended for doctrinal or training adoption.

Execution Framework

TED’s evaluation events are guided by trained Observer-Controllers (OCs) and enforced by certified Range Safety Officers (RSOs).

• Observer-Controllers ensure objective data collection, adjudicate outcomes, and monitor tactical behaviors during all research trials.

• Range Safety Officers ensure the safe conduct of live-fire and non-live-fire activities, maintaining accountability of personnel, weapons systems, and terrain throughout all phases of the event.

These roles are critical to ensuring safe, repeatable, and analytically rigorous experimentation environments.

Simulation Exercise Branch

Branch Mission:

To conduct live force-on-force and virtual simulation exercises (SIMEX) that rigorously test LFSG lightfighter concepts, force structures, and decision-making frameworks under realistic, dynamic conditions.

Core Focus Areas:

• Live Force-on-Force Wargaming:
  Execute immersive, multi-day free-play exercises using live participants to evaluate small-unit performance, adaptability, and tactical integration under continuous operational pressure.

• Virtual Simulations:
  Employ digital and computer-assisted environments to explore emerging concepts, refine TTPs, and stress-test human-machine teaming, command-and-control, and sensor integration in controlled variables.

• Human Decision-Making Analysis:
  Capture naturalistic decision-making under stress, uncertainty, and degraded communications environments. Support the development of cognitive dominance tools and heuristics.

• Concept Testing and Validation:
  Assess the viability and tactical utility of new force designs, technologies, and engagement frameworks before fielding into doctrine and training packages.

Simulation Exercise Branch Statement:

The Simulation Exercise Branch bridges live and virtual experimentation to validate LFSG’s most critical ideas—those involving how Lightfighters fight, decide, adapt, and survive. Whether on terrain or in simulated space, this branch delivers the empirical insight needed to refine force design and decision-making at the tactical edge.

Live-Fire Branch

Branch Mission:

To evaluate the effectiveness, survivability, and integration of weapons systems, munitions, and tactical techniques through structured live-fire experimentation and range-based validation..

Core Focus Areas:

• Weapons & Equipment Evaluation:
  Assess ballistic performance, reliability, and operator compatibility of light weapons, optics, and supporting systems.

• Lethality & Survivability Analysis:
  Measure effectiveness of direct fire engagements, cover and concealment, and tactical formations in live scenarios.

• TTP Validation:
  Confirm fire and maneuver drills, engagement sequencing, and weapon employment under combat-realistic conditions.

• Capability Integration:
  Ensure new tools and techniques can be safely and effectively employed by light infantry in operational contexts.

Live-Fire BRANCH Statement:

The Live-Fire Branch ensures that LFSG’s tactics and equipment are not only theoretically sound but battlefield-proven. Through disciplined experimentation, it provides the data and insight necessary to evolve combat techniques, confirm lethal capabilities, and support doctrine with real-world performance metrics.