Reddit reviews Principles of Naval Weapons Systems: Second Edition (U.S. Naval Institute Blue & Gold Professional Library)

Here's my list of recommended reads (no particular order)

• Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems, Fifth Edition
  
  Very large, very technical book. Helps if you have a bit of electronics or weaponeer knowledge already. Has information translated from recently de-classified cold war era Russian documents, publicly for the first time. Talks specifics of weapons, sensors, and comms, system by system. Reference book, not bathroom reading.
  
  
• Principles of Naval Weapons Systems: Second Edition
  
  This is an actual textbook used by the US naval academy. Not sure if it is still part of their curriculum anymore. Discuses fundamentals of radar, sonar, blast effects, and a wide variety of other topics in a non platform specific way.
  
  
• Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat, 2nd Edition
  
  Haven't read this book, but understand it's popular with US naval officers today.
  
  
• Tom Clacy
  
  Not many people know Tom Clancy also wrote non-fiction. His works of that genre included; Carrier, Submarine, and Fighter Wing. Of course, his novels, Hunt for Red October, and Red Storm Rising are the gold standard in military-techno thrillers.
  
  Bonus Material
  
  
• Professional Reading List, Chief of Staff of the Air Force
  
  
• Professional Reading Program, USN Chief of Naval Operations
  
  
• [Professional Reading List, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army ] (https://history.army.mil/html/books/105/105-1-1/CMH_Pub_105-5-1_2017.pdf)
  

A lot of the stuff you read will be horseshit, keep that in mind.

If you want reliable baseline, pick up a copy of the Friedman's Guide to Naval Weapon Systems. It hasn't been updated in 10 years but its probably the most reliable source that isn't ABSURDLY expensive. It will help you get an idea of what the state-of-the-art was 10 years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/Naval-Institute-Guide-Weapon-Systems/dp/1557502625

If you want a good basic reference for the technology then pick up a copy of Payne's Principles of Naval Weapon Systems.

https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Naval-Weapons-Systems-Professional/dp/1591146674/

You can use your new found powers to "filter" out the stupidity from the reality when you read defense blogs and news sites.