The history of weapons system acquisition process and procedures at the beginning of the Cold War. From policy to economics it cover the process of the US rearming to met the challenges of the Cold War, covering all branches of the military.

World War II: a watershed -- Organizing for national security: OSD and acquisition, 1945-1949 -- The response to war: OSD and acquisition, 1950-1953 -- Mission and materiel: The Army and acquisition, 1945-1953 -- Emergence of the weapon system concept: the Air Force and acquisition, 1945-1953 -- The Air Force and the aircraft manufacturing industry -- Decentralization and fragmentation: The Navy and acquisition, 1945-1953 -- Centralization begins: OSD and acquisition, 1953-1960 -- Ascendancy of the weapon system concept: The Air Force and acquisition, 1953-1960 -- Toward centralization and the systems approach: The Navy and acquisition, 1953-1960 -- Creating a missile and rocket force: The Army and acquisition, 1953-1960 -- Conclusion.