A thoroughly compelling look at military research and development——and at what war and weaponry might be like in the near future.

Three hundred photographs present a fascinating glimpse of the newest state-of-the-art weaponry, and suggest what the future may have in store for us. The recent war in Iraq has revealed the high level of equipment already available to the armed forces, and the incredible sophistication just keeps growing. With such paraphernalia currently being designed as computerized interactive personal armor that delivers up-to-the-minute information to each soldier, real life and science fiction seem almost to have merged. Find out the eye-opening truth about military research and development, and about budget and technological constraints. Separate sections explore weapons designed for air, sea, and ground forces, with commentary on what’s currently in action and which planes, tanks, artillery, and other weapons could become standard.