Now that the industry has acknowledged that training requirements must drive training device design, it makes sense that the training device should also be tested against these same requirements. From extensive front-end analysis through device design, training requirements are a major consideration, yet traditionally contractor test is limited to hardware and software specifications. In many cases this has led to a device that, although technically compliant with contract specifications, was unable to accomplish the training for which it had been purchased. On a current Link ATD (Aircrew Training Device), final contractor verification test objectives and customer acceptance test objectives are being oriented toward a fully integrated system and the training that the device is designed to accomplish, in addition to the contract's technical specifications. Link's approach on this ATD is to include "Mission Test" as a phase of the contractor testing. This mission test is being designed and accomplished by company personnel with operations, training, and engineering backgrounds, in close coordination with the Air Force users. This cooperative approach is critical, particularly with a concurrent development program where aircraft design and its mission are changing. Mission Test will ensure that the training system can accomplish the user's training objectives by flying "real world" sorties in the ATD that incorporate all the tasks the user intends to train in the device. The combined Link-Air Force team will test the interaction of the entire system, including crew and instructors, for all tasks under a variety of conditions.