"This is an edited, reformatted and augmented version ..."--Page 1.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Defense acquisitions : how DOD acquires weapon systems and recent efforts to reform the process / Moshe Schwartz -- Defense acquisition reform : background, analysis and issues for Congress / Moshe Schwartz -- Department of Defense's use of contractors to support military operations : background, analysis and issues for Congress / Moshe Schwartz and Jennifer Church -- The Nunn-McCurdy Act : background, analysis and issues for Congress / Moshe Schwarz. The Department of Defense (DOD) acquires goods and services from contractors, federal arsenals, and shipyards to support military operations. Acquisition is a broad term that applies to more than just the purchase of an item or service; the acquisition process encompasses the design, engineering, construction, testing, deployment, sustainment, and disposal of weapons or related items purchased from a contractor. This book provides an overview of the process by which the Department of Defense acquires weapon systems and discusses recent major efforts by Congress and DOD to improve the performance.