Misguided weapons
Subtitle: technological failure and surprise on the battlefield
By: Azriel Lorber
Edition: 1st ed
Publisher: Brassey's, Inc.
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 293
Subjects: War; Technology; Military weapons; Surprise (Military science); Military art and science -- History; Military history, Modern
Description: Technological failure results when one side in a conflict does not fully grasp the potential impact of known, or even familiar, weapons in the enemy's hands. In most cases, such failure resulted from higher officials' ignorance or their total misunderstanding of the importance and relevance of such technology and science, as well as their application to warfare. Technological failure is also the root cause of technological surprise. While operational surprise on the battlefield poses grave problems, technological surprise is far more serious, because, as Azriel Lorber explains, it often leads to disasters on the battlefield and is more difficult to recover from. In too many cases, technological failure and surprise stem from all-too-human characteristics, such as self-satisfaction, disdain for the adversary, obtuseness, and conservatism. Because these traits show no evidence of disappearing, political decision-makers and military commanders should be aware that technological failure and technological surprise could happen at any time.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 273-279) and index