Which activity is part of the Technology Development phase?

The Technology Development phase is critical in the broader context of systems acquisition, specifically focusing on demonstrating the viability of new technologies or solutions to meet a particular need. During this phase, conducting competitive prototyping is a significant activity because it involves creating multiple prototypes to test and evaluate technical concepts. This activity helps stakeholders determine the most effective and feasible technologies before moving into the subsequent phases of design and production.

Competitive prototyping provides essential insights regarding performance, costs, and potential risks, allowing for informed decision-making about which technical approaches should be pursued. While other activities mentioned, such as completing detailed design, fielding of systems, and establishing product baselines, are essential parts of later phases—such as Engineering and Manufacturing Development or Production—they do not fall under the Technology Development phase. This phase is fundamentally about innovation and testing various technological solutions rather than finalizing designs or implementing systems.