Which test is known as the Ships Operational Verification Test (SOVT)?

The Ships Operational Verification Test (SOVT) is a verification process specifically designed for assessing fiber systems used in combat scenarios. This test ensures that the operational capabilities of these systems meet the necessary standards required for military effectiveness. The focus is on confirming that the fiber optic networks can support the critical communications and data transfer needs aboard a ship under operational conditions.

In contrast, the other options refer to different types of tests that serve distinct purposes. The mention of optical power efficiency pertains to measuring how much light energy is transmitted through the fiber without loss, which, while important, does not encapsulate the broader operational aspects evaluated in the SOVT. A continuity check for fibers is focused on ensuring that there is no break in the fiber, allowing signals to pass through, which is a more basic evaluation than the comprehensive operational verification aimed at performance under combat conditions. Lastly, Rayleigh backscatter is a phenomenon used in testing fiber optics to analyze signal integrity and loss but is not directly associated with the operational verification of systems in a combat environment. Thus, the SOVT specifically relates to the verification of fiber systems in the context of their combat readiness, justifying why this identification is accurate.