US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 3041

Major system

(a)

In General .—

In this part (other than in sections 4292(e) and 4321), the term “major system” means a combination of elements that will function together to produce the capabilities required to fulfill a mission need. The elements may include hardware, equipment, software or any combination thereof, but excludes construction or other improvements to real property.
(b)

System Considered to Be a Major System .—

A system shall be considered a major system if—
(1)
the conditions of subsection (c) or (d), as applicable, are satisfied; or
(2)
the system is designated a “major system” by the head of the agency responsible for the system.
(c)

Department of Defense Systems.—

(1)

In general .—

For purposes of subsection (b), a system for which the Department of Defense is responsible shall be considered a major system if—
(A)
the total expenditures for research, development, test, and evaluation for the system are estimated to be more than $275,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2024 constant dollars); or
(B)
the eventual total expenditure for procurement for the system is estimated to be more than $1,300,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2024 constant dollars).
(2)

Adjustment authority .—

section 4202(b) of this titleAuthority for the Secretary of Defense to adjust amounts and the base fiscal year in effect under this subsection is provided in .
(d)

Civilian Agency Systems .—

For purposes of subsection (b), a system for which a civilian agency is responsible shall be considered a major system if total expenditures for the system are estimated to exceed the greater of—
(1)
$2,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2024 constant dollars); or
(2)
the dollar threshold for a “major system” established by the agency pursuant to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–109, entitled “Major Systems Acquisitions”.

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1806(c)134 Stat. 4154Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, § 1804(a)139 Stat. 1234(Added and amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Codification

section 2302 of this titlePub. L. 116–283, § 1806(c)(2)Pub. L. 98–525, title XII, § 121198 Stat. 2589Pub. L. 100–26, § 7(k)(2)101 Stat. 284Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title VIII, § 805(a)(1)110 Stat. 2605The text of par. (5) of , which was transferred to this section, redesignated as subsecs. (a) and (b), and amended by , was based on , , ; , , ; , , .

section 2302d of this titlePub. L. 116–283, § 1806(c)(3)Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title VIII, § 805(a)(2)110 Stat. 2605Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, § 1073(a)(41)111 Stat. 1902The text of subsecs. (a) and (b) of , which were transferred to this section, redesignated as subsecs. (c) and (d), respectively, and amended by , was based on , , ; , , .

Amendments

Pub. L. 119–60, § 1804(a)(1)(A)2025—Subsec. (c)(1)(A). , substituted “$275,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2024 constant dollars)” for “$115,000,000 (based on fiscal year 1990 constant dollars)”.

Pub. L. 119–60, § 1804(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (c)(1)(B). , substituted “$1,300,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2024 constant dollars)” for “$540,000,000 (based on fiscal year 1990 constant dollars)”.

Pub. L. 119–60, § 1804(a)(2)Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “$2,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2024 constant dollars)” for “$750,000 (based on fiscal year 1980 constant dollars)”.

Pub. L. 116–283, § 1806(c)(2)(A)section 2302 of this title2021—Subsec. (a). , redesignated par. (5) of as subsec. (a) of this section, realigned margin, inserted heading, and substituted “In this part (other than in sections 4292(e) and 4321), the term” for “The term”. Former third sentence of subsec. (a) designated (b).

Pub. L. 116–283, § 1806(c)(2)(B)section 2302(5) of this titlesection 2302d of this titleSubsec. (b). , (C), after transfer of to subsec. (a) of this section, designated third sentence of subsec. (a) as (b), inserted heading, and substituted “system if—” and pars. (1) and (2) for “system if (A) the conditions of are satisfied, or (B) the system is designated a ‘major system’ by the head of the agency responsible for the system.”

Pub. L. 116–283, § 1806(c)(3)section 2302d of this titlesection 2302(5) of this titleSubsec. (c). , redesignated subsec. (a) of as subsec. (c) of this section, substituted “subsection (b)” for “” in introductory provisions, designated existing provisions as par. (1) and inserted heading, redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 116–283, § 1806(c)(3)section 2302d of this titlesection 2302(5) of this titleSubsec. (d). , redesignated subsec. (b) of as subsec. (d) of this section and substituted “subsection (b)” for “” in introductory provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 116–283section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283section 3001 of this titleSection and amendment by effective , with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see , set out as an Effective Date of 2021 Amendment note preceding .