Valley of Death

"Valley of death" is a term with multiple meanings, often referring to a critical point in a process where many projects or ideas fail to progress. In the context of defense acquisition, it describes the gap between technology development and program acquisition, where promising concepts or prototypes struggle to transition into operational use. It can also refer to a geographical location, such as Death Valley that is a desert valley in California and Nevada, known for its extreme heat, low elevation, and arid conditions. It was given its name by pioneers who feared for their lives while crossing it.