Weapons without a cause : the politics of weapons acquisition in the United States

Why are certain weapons acquired in the United States and others not? Theo Farrell addresses this question by examining the strategic, institutional and budgetary issues surrounding four major weapon programmes. Extensive use is made of primary sources in analysing the origins, development and outcomes of these programmes. This book presents alarming evidence to show how the military services manipulate weapons acquisition to suit their own ends rather than national security. It also analyses how Congress, motivated by concerns over cost, comes to play a greater role in shaping programme outcomes once weapons enter production. Why Are Certain Weapons Acquired In The United States And Others Not? In A Unique Study, Theo Farrell Addresses This Question By Examining The Strategic, Institutional And Budgetary Issues Surrounding Four Major Weapon Programmes: B-2 Stealth Bomber, Mx Missile, A-12 Naval Bomber And Divad Army Air-defence Gun. Extensive Use Is Made Of Primary Source Materials In Analysing The Origins, Development And Outcomes Of These Programmes. This Book Presents Alarming Evidence To Show That The Us Weapons Acquisition Process Is Ineffective And Hugely Inefficient. 1. Explaining Weapons Acquisition. Previous Explanations. What Drives Weapons Acquisition. Methodology And Case Selection -- 2. Strategic Issues. A-12 Avenger. Sgt York Divad. Us Nuclear Strategy. Mx Peacekeeper. B-2 Stealth Bomber -- 3. Institutional Issues. Military Services. President. Other Policy Actors. Manipulating The Acquisition Process. A-12 Avenger. Sgt York Divad. Mx Peacekeeper. B-2 Stealth Bomber -- 4. Budgetary Issues. Defence Budget And Defence Expenditure. Dod Policy Structures. A-12 Avenger. Sgt York Divad. Mx Peacekeeper. B-2 Stealth Bomber -- 5. Weapons Without A Cause. Explaining The Case Studies. What This Study Revels About Us Weapons Acquisition. Policy Implications: Waste In Weapons Acquisition. Theo Farrell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-223) And Index. "Why are certain weapons acquired in the United States and others not? In a unique study, Theo Farrell addresses this question by examining the strategic, institutional and budgetary issues surrounding four major weapon programmes: B-2 stealth bomber, MX missile, A-12 naval bomber and DIVAD army air-defence gun. Extensive use is made of primary source materials in analysing the origins, development and outcomes of these programmes."--BOOK JACKET. "This book presents alarming evidence to show that the US weapons acquisition process is ineffective and hugely inefficient."--BOOK JACKET Front Matter....Pages i-xv Explaining Weapons Acquisition....Pages 1-22 Strategic Issues....Pages 23-66 Institutional Issues....Pages 67-121 Budgetary Issues....Pages 122-174 Weapons Without a Cause....Pages 175-186 Back Matter....Pages 187-230 Drawing on primary source material including DOD documents and reports, this book presents alarming evidence to show how the military services manipulate weapons acquisition to suit their own ends rather than national security