Chuck Spinney, who made the cover of TIME in the 1980's as a whistle-blower on defense waste and mismanagement, has in this book presented a readable, well-documented and well-illustrated account of how virtually every single weapons and mobility system now in the Pentagon system is over-priced, over-weight, over-budget, and not able to perform as advertised. In addressing the plans/reality mismatch, the author is very effectively demonstrating that doctrine, technology and the budget are completely divorced from both real world threats and real world logistics.

Includes index. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1. Defense facts of life. The nature of the planning problem -- A general view of change in the Post-World War II era -- The impact of budget growth on readiness and modernization in Air Force tactical aviation -- The uncertainty surrounding investment plans -- The growth in complexity and perceived capability -- Observations and conclusions / Part 2: The plans/reality mismatch. The problem -- Procurement cost grown in historical perspective -- Procurement plans: declining costs and the bow wave -- The rationale for declining costs -- Plans and reality mismatched: the case of tactical fighter procurement -- Why the mismatch persists -- Coping with instability and ambiguity: conclusions and recommendations -- Appendix.