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.