The book describes the scale, benefits and costs of military research and development. It discusses the process of converting military R&D to civilian applications, and examines specific opportunities for, and obstacles to, conversion in the USA, Russia, France, Germany, and the UK. Among a number of case studies, senior scientists from US and Russian nuclear weapons laboratories debate the futures for these massive complexes. Looking to the future, the dual military/civilian nature of technology is discussed.

Contributors Preface Executive Summary; J.Reppy Introduction; J.Holdren & J.Reppy PART I: SETTING THE CONTEXT Levels and Trends in International Spending for Military R&D; J.Reppy Benefits and Costs of Military R&D; P.Gummett & J.A.Stein PART II: CONVERSION OF MILITARY R&D Conversion of Military R&D: Concepts and Complications; P.Southwood The US Context; A.Yarmolinsky Transforming the Russian Economy; I.Maslennikov Dashed Hopes for Conversion of U.S. Military R&D; J.T.Marlin Conversion of Military R&D in the Russian Arms Industry ; M.Nikitin The French Case; J.Hébert Dual-Use and Conversion of Military-Related R&D in Germany; J.Altmann, W. Liebert, G.Neuneck & J.Scheffran The UK Case; T.Milne PART III: SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES Conversion of U.S. Nuclear Weapons Laboratories; R.E.Kidder Conversion Problems of Russian Nuclear Weapons Centers; E.Avrorin Problem of Conversion in the U.S. Military Electronics Industry; J.Ruina Conversion of Space R&D; N.Anfimov & N.Severtsev PART IV: THE WAY FORWARD Preventive Arms Control as Prerequisite for Conversion of Military-Related R&D; J.Altmann, W.Liebert, G.Neuneck & J.Scheffran Preventing Destabilizing Military Applications ; W.A.Smit Index