RDT&E in the MDAP cost framework stands for what?

• A. Research, Development, Test and Evaluation
• B. Readiness, Deployment, Test and Evaluation
• C. Requirements, Design, Test and Evaluation
• D. Research, Development, Technology, and Evaluation

Answer: (A)

In the DoD Major Defense Acquisition Program cost framework, RDT&E stands for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. This category covers the activities needed to explore new ideas, develop them into capable systems, and verify their performance through testing and evaluation before production begins. It spans fundamental and applied research, technology development, system development and integration, and various testing phases. That combination—research driving development and then rigorous testing and evaluation before fielding—is what this option represents, making it the best choice.

The other options mix in terms like Readiness, Requirements, or Technology, which are not the standard MDAP cost elements and don’t align with the established acronym.