Which type of Operational Test and Evaluation assesses a system's potential to meet mission requirements?

The Operational Assessment is focused on evaluating a system's capability to meet mission requirements in realistic operational conditions. This type of assessment evaluates the effectiveness, suitability, and survivability of the system when it is used in an operational environment, providing insights into how well the system will perform in real-world scenarios.

Operational Assessments typically involve collecting data on how the system operates, its performance against established mission goals, and understanding any risks or limitations that may affect its effectiveness. This evaluation is critical because it informs decision-makers about the readiness of the system and whether it can effectively fulfill its intended purpose in a mission context.

Other types of testing, while important, serve different functions. Developmental Assessments focus more on the system's performance during its development phase and may not capture operational effectiveness. Full Operational Tests are more comprehensive evaluations that occur after systems have been fielded, and Initial Operational Capability Tests are typically concerned with determining if a system can begin initial operations, but not necessarily its overall performance in meeting mission requirements.