MANUFACTURING BASELINE MAJOR DIAMETER On a straight thread, the major diameter is that of the major cylinder. On a taper thread, the major diameter at a given position on the thread axis is that of the major cone at that position. MAJOR LOBE The major lobe is the portion of the antenna field pattern containing the direction of maximum radiation. MAJOR NONCONFORMANCE A nonconformance, other than critical, that is likely to result in failure or to materially reduce the usability of the supplies or services for their intended purpose. MALFUNCTION (1) A physical condition that causes a device, a component, or an element to fail to perform in a required manner; for example, a short or open circuit or an intermittent connection. (2) A degradation in performance due to detuning, maladjustment, misalignment, or failure of parts. (3) Immediate cause of failure (e.g., maladjustment, misalignment, defect, etc.). MANAGING ACTIVITY The organizational element of DoD assigned acquisition management responsibility for the system, or prime or associate contractors or subcontractors who wish to