§ 4272. Independent technical risk assessments

• (a) With respect to a major defense acquisition program, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct or approve independent technical risk assessments—
  • (1) before any decision to grant Milestone A approval for the program pursuant to section 4251 of this title , that identifies critical technologies and manufacturing processes that need to be matured; and
  • (2) before any decision to grant Milestone B approval for the program pursuant to section 4252 of this title , any decision to enter into low-rate initial production or full-rate production, or at any other time considered appropriate by the Secretary, that includes the identification of any critical technologies or manufacturing processes that have not been successfully demonstrated in a relevant environment.
• (b) The Secretary shall issue guidance and a framework for the conduct, execution, and approval of independent technical risk assessments.