A single, convenient reference that lists and describes the weapons systems of all the world's navies. This book is the first to include information not only on guns, missiles, and torpedoes, but also on the sensors that find the targets and the command mechanisms that determine when and at what targets to fire. Every weapons system in service - on ships, submarines, and naval aircraft - is covered. Encyclopedic in scope, the entries include up-to-date data and characteristics, program development histories, and comparisons with similar systems. Author Norman Friedman, internationally respected naval analyst and defence consulant, brings a unique combination of technical, analytical, and historical experience to this work. He has organized the book into warfare areas (strategic strike, air defence, antisubmarine, antiship, etc) to reflect current tactical thinking. Preceding each section is an introduction that explains essential technology. In addition to the description of the past and state-of-the-art systems is an analysis of the international political, economic, and technological factors affecting future naval weapons systems and their use in potential conflicts. For newsmen covering foreign crises, it gives descriptions and analyses of weapons systems used around the world. For analysts and engineers confronted with a myriad of old and new systems employed by a variety of far-flung nations, it offers a single source that pulls them all together. For sea service professionals, it is a handy, illustrated guide to the arsenals of friends and potential adversaries. Particularly helpful is the detail provided on the smaller navies, which is much more comprehensive than that found in any other source. World Naval Weapons Systems is sure to become an indispensable resource for the office, wardroom, or home library. To keep readers abreast of the very latest developments, it will be updated biennially, appearing in alternate years with Combat Fleets of the World, the highly regarded reference work which this book complements. Norman Friedman is a defense consultant on naval technological and strategic problems.