Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware - Comprehensive

In this review of Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware, the bottom line is simple: this single-volume reference is best for students, researchers and professionals who need dense technical detail on weapons and sensors from the late 20th century. The review finds the book valuable for its focused coverage of land, sea and air hardware and for compiling size, weight and operational range in one place, making it a practical desktop companion for anyone studying historical capabilities or defence technology.

Key Features

• Comprehensive scope: Covers the complete range of hardware used by land, sea and air forces at the time of publication, allowing cross-domain comparison in one volume.
• Technical detail: Provides salient technical and operational details including size, weight and operational range that support technical study and planning.
• Armament and ammunition focus: Offers in-depth detail on armament capabilities and associated ammunition for a clear picture of weapon effectiveness.
• Electronics and sensors: Describes sensors and electronics required for effective weapon use, useful for analysts interested in systems integration.
• Reference reissue: As a Routledge Revivals title, it restores an important historical reference for students and professionals needing authoritative archival material.

Who It's For

The Compendium is aimed at military historians, defence studies students and technical researchers who require consolidated, factual descriptions of weapons systems and related equipment as of 1987. Its emphasis on measurements and operational range makes it particularly useful for comparative analysis or curriculum reading where primary technical details are needed.

Readers seeking modern inventories, current procurement listings or analysis of contemporary systems should look elsewhere, since the work reflects hardware and doctrine current at first publication and is best used as a historical or archival reference rather than as up-to-date procurement guidance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Detailed technical entries make it a dependable reference for size, weight and operational range.
• Broad coverage across land, sea and air domains helps users compare systems within a single volume.
• Strong focus on armament, ammunition and sensors supports technical and tactical study.
• Routledge reissue keeps an important historical title accessible to students and professionals.

Cons

• Material is historical and reflects the state of hardware as of 1987, so it is not a source for current systems.
• Presentation is factual and dense, which may be less approachable for casual readers seeking narrative context.

Specifications

Title	Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware
Author	Christopher Chant
Publisher series	Routledge Revivals
First published	1987
Coverage	Land, sea and air forces hardware
Focus areas	Armament, ammunition, sensors and electronics

Our Verdict

The Compendium remains a solid historical reference for anyone needing compact, technical summaries of weapon systems and support electronics as they stood in 1987. It represents good value for students and professionals requiring archival technical data and comparative details across domains, though those needing up-to-date inventories should consult current publications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover all military branches?
Yes, the volume covers hardware used in land, sea and air forces at the time of publication.

Is the content technical or narrative?
The content is technical and factual, concentrating on measurements, operational range and equipment capabilities rather than storytelling.

Is this a current reference for modern systems?
No, it reflects the state of armaments and technology around 1987 and is best used as a historical or archival reference.