Trident (Science & international affairs series) - Tapa dura

The process through which our nation acquires its weapons systems is virtually unknown to the average citizen and is an extremely complex one even for those who must deal with it on a daily basis. This book, using the example of the Trident submarine programs, provides a thorough and readable account of this process. . . I recommend it to any and all who are interested in understanding the complicated task of trying to provide our nation s defense. Dennis DeConcini, United States Senator" "Trident" is must reading for anyone concerned with the ability of America s defense to meet the Soviet military challenge. . . . It s fascinating reading and a valuable contribution to better understanding military decision-making in our democratic system. Congressman Robert J. Lagomarsino, Committee on Foreign Affairs, U. S. House of Representives"

While it was still in the development stage, Rear Admiral Albert Kelln predicted that Trident would Extend the seabased deterrent survivability we currently enjoy into the 21st century. On the other hand, the Congressional Research Service s Brief on United States defense industrial preparedness contended that the Trident project appeared to demonstrate all three categories of symptoms mentioned . . . delay, severe cost overruns, and poor workmanship. Dalgleish and Schweikart seek to resolve these points of view by an in depth analysis of every aspect of the submarine program, including the political struggles involved in activating the program, the construction process, the vessel itself, improvements in submarine technology that will affect it, and descriptions of its base. They trace the history of the Trident submarine program from its beginning as a part of the STRAT-X study of 1967 to the present. Because cost has so frequently been the overriding concern during the Trident s development, the authors provide a cost comparison of the Trident system to several other systems. They conclude that on balance the Trident system has not been exceedingly costly."