The Geeks of War: The Secretive Labs and Brilliant Minds Behind Tommorrow’s Warfare Technologies

More often than not, the nightly news gives us the opportunity to see modern weapons in action. But what few people ever get to see is how these ever more complex and powerful weapons come to be. Phrases like "developed by the Pentagon" or a "Department of defense project" only hint at the real story -that modern weaponry and defense systems are born of technology developed in private, academic, and government labs that are light years ahead of what the military may be using at any given moment. This book takes an unprecedented book deep inside these organizations. Author John Edwards has conducted dozens of exclusive, in depth interviews with scientists and program directors at labs all over the country -the ones with their sleeves rolled up, their computers humming, the minds going places the rest of us don’t even know exist. They are, in short, The Greeks of War: With detailed accounts and analysis, Edwards looks at the programs and people creating the next generation (and beyond) in: Tactical Systems: battle lasers, robotic sensors, smarter smart bombs, and the use of alternative materials like ceramics, plastics, and clean missile fuel made by genetically altered microbes. Information, Telecommunications, and reconnaissance Systems: advances in radio, wireless, database function, portable power, mine detection, weather forecasting, voice navigation, flying robots, weapons guidance systems, and more. Health, Medicine, and Biotechnology: New treatments for wounds, bone generation, personal climate control, and "wearable robots" that allow soldiers to carry enormously heavy loads almost effortlessly. Vehicles and logistics Systems: quiet jet planes and laser-powered craft, high-tech vehicle control and damage assessment, and semi- conductor technologies that allow " waste" heat to be turned into useable energy.  Security and Cryptography: virtually unbreakable information encryption, unearthing hidden data, neutralizing terrorist threats using microwaves, spectrometers, "smart dust, " living cells and more. Protective hear: custom-fitted uniforms, stronger and lighter armor, climate-sensitive clothing, and material that can sense and relay precise information about injuries. The list goes on and on-and so, of course, do the implications. Edwards examines the myriad drivers of this mysterious and crucial industry, from the financial and political motives to the push from a "bigger is better" philosophy to one focused more on efficiency. But The Geeks of war is not a political book. Rather, it is a brilliant example of how complex information and seemingly intractable issues can be brought to light articulately, accessibly, and engagingly by a master journalist.