DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000
NAVY PENTAGON
W
ASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 3960.16B
N8
7 Nov 2017
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 3960.16B
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: NAVY TEST, MEASUREMENT, AND DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT, AUTOMATIC
TEST SYSTEMS, AND METROLOGY AND CALIBRATION
Ref: (a) CJCSI 3170.01I
(b) SECNAVINST 5000.2E
(c) SECNAVINST 5400.15C
(d) through (u) - refer to enclosure (1)
Encl: (1) Continuation of References
1. Purpose
a. To set policy, establish procedures, and assign responsibilities for the execution of the
Navy test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment; automatic test systems; and metrology and
calibration program and supporting information resource management for the Chief of Naval
Operations (CNO) to be used in the program objective memorandum planning, programming,
budgeting, and execution phases.
b. This instruction is being reissued with a new date, updated version, and signature
authority to meet the CNO age requirement for Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
(OPNAV) instructions. This instruction is a complete revision and should be reviewed in its
entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 3960.16A.
3. Discussion. The complexity of weapons platforms, systems, and support systems, coupled
with significant advances in technology, give importance to the Navy's test, monitoring, and
diagnostic capability and the need for improved measurement assurance throughout all phases of
the acquisition lifecycle. Optimal use of efficient test and diagnostic capabilities can reduce total
ownership costs and improve readiness. Early life cycle development of measurement and
calibration performance capability, based on fundamentals of reference (a), is required to deliver
technologically sound, sustainable, and affordable diagnostic and measurement systems.
a. Reference (b) defines CNO and Commandant of the Marine Corps responsibilities for
readiness, planning, and programming to satisfy operational capability needs, and for providing
