LESSONS LEARNED IN PERFORMING TECHNOLOGY READINESS ASSESSMENT (TRA) FOR THE MILESTONE (MS) B REVIEW OF AN ACQUISITION CATEGORY (ACAT)1D VEHICLE PROGRAM

One of the biggest challenges in developing TRA is the determination of the critical technology elements (CTEs). This paper outlines a systematic process used to identify all potential technologies developed by the contractors during the Technology Development (TD) Phase and applies criteria for selection of CTEs. To reduce the subjectivity in the assessment, the relevant technical requirements for each CTE that are important to the customers will be established. These requirements must be met to demonstrate the level of maturity required before entering the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase. The maturity of a CTE cannot be evaluated in isolation. The paper also includes other system requirements that the CTEs must satisfy before the overall system can be evaluated. A major defense ACAT vehicle acquisition program, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), was used to demonstrate the TRA process in preparation for the MS-B Review with the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (ASD(R&E)) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).