48 CFR § 209.270-2 - 209.270-2 Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t48/s209.270-2"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "48 CFR § 209.270-2 - 209.270-2   Definitions."
title_number: 48
title_name: "Federal Acquisition Regulations System"
section_number: "209.270-2"
section_name: "209.270-2   Definitions."
chapter_number: 2
chapter_name: "DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "ACQUISITION PLANNING"
part_number: "209"
part_name: "CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1."
regulatory_source: "56 FR 36313, July 31, 1991, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "209"
---


# 209.270-2 209.270-2   Definitions.

As used in this section—

*Aviation critical safety item* means a part, an assembly, installation equipment, launch equipment, recovery equipment, or support equipment for an aircraft or aviation weapon system if the part, assembly, or equipment contains a characteristic any failure, malfunction, or absence of which could cause—

(1) A catastrophic or critical failure resulting in the loss of or serious damage to the aircraft or weapon system;

(2) An unacceptable risk of personal injury or loss of life; or

(3) An uncommanded engine shutdown that jeopardizes safety.

*Design control activity*—(1) With respect to an aviation critical safety item, means the systems command of a military department that is specifically responsible for ensuring the air worthiness of an aviation system or equipment in which an aviation critical safety item is to be used; and

(2) With respect to a ship critical safety item, means the systems command of a military department that is specifically responsible for ensuring the seaworthiness of a ship or ship equipment in which a ship critical safety item is to be used.

*Ship critical safety item* means any ship part, assembly, or support equipment containing a characteristic the failure, malfunction, or absence of which could cause—

(1) A catastrophic or critical failure resulting in loss of or serious damage to the ship; or

(2) An unacceptable risk of personal injury or loss of life.

[69 FR 55988, Sept. 17, 2004, as amended at 73 FR 1827, Jan. 10, 2008]