Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)
Activities Across Phases
Technical Reviews
Develop Strategies
Program Management
Cost Estimation/Affordability
MDD
MSA PHASE
Develop Requirements
Analysis of Alternatives
Study Contracts
Milestone A
TMRR PHASE
Mature Requirements
Prototype Contracts
Prototyping
Develop Preliminary Design
CDD Validation
Dev RFP Release Decision
Milestone B
EMD PHASE
Development Contracts
Complete System Design
Develop System
Developmental Testing
Milestone C
P&D PHASE
Production Contracts
Low Rate Initial Production
Operational Testing
FRP Decision
Full Rate Production/Deployment
O&S PHASE
Sustainment Contracts
Sustain System
IOC/FOC
IOC/FOC
How to use this site
Each page in this pathway presents a wealth of curated knowledge from acquisition policies, guides, templates, training, reports, websites, case studies, and other resources. It also provides a framework for functional experts and practitioners across DoD to contribute to the collective knowledge base. This site aggregates official DoD policies, guides, references, and more.
DoD and Service policy is indicated by a BLUE vertical line.
Directly quoted material is preceeded with a link to the Reference Source.
Initial Operational Capability
Reference Source: DAU Glossary
In general, attained when some units and/or organizations in the force structure scheduled to receive a system have received it and have the ability to employ and maintain it. The specifics for any particular system IOC are defined in that system’s Capability Development Document (CDD) and updated CDD.
Full Operational Capability
Reference Source: DAU Glossary
In general, attained when all units and/or organizations in the force structure scheduled to receive a system have received it and have the ability to employ and maintain it. The specifics for any particular system FOC are defined in that system’s Capability Development Document (CDD) and updated CDD.