Trillions for military technology : how the Pentagon innovates and why it costs so much / John A. Alic.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [209]-251) and index.

1. Choosing weapons -- 2. Technology and doctrine -- 3. Korea and its aftermath : the shift to high technology -- 4. Understanding acquisition -- 5. Organizing for defense -- 6. Buying military systems : what the services want and what they get -- 7. Research and weapons design -- 8. Complex systems and the revolution in military affairs -- 9. Innovation and learning in peace and in war -- 10. Generation of variety and selection of innovations -- 11. Taking reform seriously.

"Trillions for Military Technology explains why the weapons purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense cost so much, why it takes decades to get them into production even as innovation in the civilian economy becomes even more frenetic, and why some of these weapons don't work very well despite expenditures of many billions of dollars. It also explains what to do about these problems. The author argues that the internal politics of the armed services make weapons acquisition almost unmanageable. Solutions require empowering civilian officials and reforms that will bring choice of weapons "into the sunshine" of public debate."--BOOK JACKET.