T&E+ Oat&E = Verification & Validation, the classic testing V.
Verification : Did we build what we contracted to build.
Validation: Did we build the right thing.......
You get absolutely no argument from me. However, allow me to add a bit.
Verification : Did we build what we contracted to build. ("we" is the contractor. In other words did the CONTRACTOR meet the stated requirements?)
Validation: Did we build the right thing....... ("we" is the government. In other words, did the GOVERNMENT (or in the case of the JSF, several GOVERNMENTS) set the right requirements?)
I believe LM is doing a very creditable job with the former.
According to post #8959 the governments did a lousy job with the latter. I'm not convinced that's really true.