The Politics of Strategic Aircraft Modernization

by David S. Sorenson

Overview

This study examines three major bomber aircraft acquisition programs: the B-36, the B-52, and the B-2. The central question for each of these programs is whether they were chosen to fit national strategic objectives or to meet the more narrow political and economic needs of the so-called military-industrial complex. The book concludes that U.S. Air Force senior leadership acquired better bombers than did civilian defense leaders. The extensive use of original documents in this book reveals that Air Force generals were less concerned about defending their own interests than previous research has implied.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275952587
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/20/1995
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

DAVID S. SORENSON is Professor of National Security Studies at the Air War College. He has published research on American civil-military relations, defense economics, defense technology, ballistic missile defense, and U.S. Middle East policy.

Table of Contents

Glossary
Preface
The Politics of Bomber Choice
Explaining Weapons Modernization
The B-36
The B-52
The B-2
Conclusions
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Sorenson (national securities studies, Air War College) details how three heavy bombers got approved and built for the US Air Force since World War II despite the fierce opposition of many of the decision makers involved. He assesses the possible role of strategic doctrine, technology, politics, and the imperative to acquire a design similar to earlier ones, the arms race, and the administrative control over weapons acquisition. The fates of the B-36, B-52, and B-2 are taken as case studies of how the system actually rather than officially operates. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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