The Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) is an independent and objective agency within the United States Navy for the operational testing and evaluation (OT&E) of naval aviation, surface warfare, submarine warfare, C4I, cryptologic, and space systems in support Navy and Department of Defense acquisition programs.

OPTEVFOR traces its origins to the final months of World War II when the need arose for an effective means to combat Japanese kamikaze attacks. On 2 July 1945, the Composite Task Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, was formed to develop tactics and evaluate equipment to counter the Kamikazes. This force was commanded by Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee, USN, and consisted of miscellaneous types of combatant ships and drone aircraft.

Following the end of World War II, the Composite Task Force was consolidated with other fleet units doing development work and in December 1947, was re-designated as the Operational Development Force (OPDEVFOR), with the force commander flying his flag on the USS Adirondack (AGC 15), as an operational command reporting to Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In 1949, the command moved ashore to the Norfolk Naval Base. With its expanding OT&E responsibilities, a subordinate liaison command, located the San Diego Naval Base, created to serve as a liaison with the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

VX-6 was one of six air development squadrons formed by the United States Navy beginning in 1946 to develop and evaluate aircraft tactics and techniques. These squadrons were initially directed by the Operational Development Force, which was redesignated in May 1959 as the Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR). These six squadrons were initially designated as VX-1 (tail code XA), VX-2 (tail code XB), VX-3 (tail code XC), VX-4 (tail code XF), VX-5 (tail code XE) and VX-6 (tail code XD). On 1 January 1969, the surviving Air Development Squadrons (VX-1, VX-4, VX-5 and VX-6) became Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons. Their designations were changed to VXE-1, VXE-4, VXE-5 and VXE-6. Their tail codes of these squadrons were changed to JA, JF, JE and JD, respectively.

In May 1959, the command was renamed Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) to reflect more accurately its increased responsibilities regarding weapon systems and tactics testing and evaluation (T&E). In 1960, the OPTEVFOR headquarters moved to its present location, located off Terminal Boulevard near the U.S. Atlantic Fleet headquarters.

Due to Congressional and DOD initiatives to improve the defense acquisition process, in 1971, OPTEVFOR was designated the Navy's sole (OT&E) agency, with greater involvement in the research and development (R&D) process and production decision-making process. In keeping with these expanded responsibilities, the Force Commander (COMOPTEVFOR) began reporting directly to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).

In 2013, the COMOPTEVFOR was the lead operational test agency who, along with Joint Staff, J6 Joint Deployable Analysis Team (JDAT), coordinated the 11th Bold Quest coalition demonstration. Warfighters, technology teams and testers under the flags of 10 nations and each of the U.S. military services came together at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. to stress test the IFF integrated suite and Aegis ballistic missile defense system Mode 5 in partnership with COMOPTEVFOR under 13 separate initiatives. JDAT assisted the COMOPTEVFOR with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5 Level 1 Joint Operational Test Approach analysis to validate the interoperability of fielded combat systems and served as COMOPTEVFOR’s lead analysis organization, responsible for all reconstruction and coordination of issues with Service program offices, and producing a detail report of results for submission to DOT&E.

OPTEVFOR provides OT&E policy direction, technical and procedural guidance, and financial support for the independent and objective testing and evaluation of the systems and tactics at the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). In terms of its relationship to operational fleet units, OPTEVFOR is supported by the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (COMUSFF); the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT); and the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (COMUSNAVEUR). It also closely follows all R&D programs within the Navy and its laboratories (including the Office of Naval Research), with the CNO authorizing direct liaison between OPTEVFOR and the heads of development agencies involving all technical matters for Navy research, development, testing, and evaluation. Evaluation of systems are done by personnel with technical experience with the equipment being tested and evaluated. Finally, OPTEVFOR coordinates operational test and evaluation (OT&E) activities with the operational test agencies of the other U.S. military services as well as the DOD Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, who establishes operational test policy for the U.S. Defense Department.