Cold War, Hot Science
Applied Research in Britain's Defence Laboratories, 1945-1990
Routledge (Publisher)
Published in June 1999
Book
Hardback
444 pages
978-90-5702-481-8 (ISBN)
Description
An authoritative history of postwar British defence research as related to the establishments that now form part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). In addition to research towards new weapons, the establishments have maintained high levels of policy relevant expertise, providing advice to the government and even carrying out some manufacturing. This systematic treatment of their history puts the applied science of the military sector in its technological, military and social context. Developments and areas of work have been selected for inclusion primarily on the basis of their importance to Britain's overall defence capabilities and posture during the period. Also included are cases of significance to civil industry and technology in general, together with treatments of key aspects of defence management and organization. A substantial introduction puts the research in its strategic context.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
ISBN-13
978-90-5702-481-8 (9789057024818)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Introduction - "Don't you know there's a war on?"; the Royal Aircraft Establishment from 1945 to Concorde; rotary-wing aircraft; ground-based air defence and ABM systems; armoured fighting vehicles; aircraft carriers and submarines - naval R&D in Britain in the mid-Cold War; thermal radiation and its applications; open systems in a closed world - ground and airborne radar in the UK 1945-90; naval command and control equipment - the birth of the late-20th-century "revolution in military affairs"; laser research and development, 1960-80; chemical and biological warfare and defence; defence physiology; civil spin-off from the Defence Research Establishments; government management of defence research since World War II.