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Acquisition and Technology

Overview

Technology has long been an advantage for U.S. forces, and the advances now coming off the shelf could increase America's lead. At the same time, decisionmakers must develop and acquire cutting-edge military systems in an era of ever-tighter resource constraints. They must also consider the implications of information warfare, constantly emerging battlefield technologies, and advanced modeling and simulation for military practice.

Organization

RAND research on acquisition and technology issues is conducted within each of RAND's national security research divisions and collaboratively across the RAND research community.

Key Research Centers:

RAND Arroyo Center, the RAND Army Research Division: Force Development and Technology Program
RAND Project AIR FORCE: Force Modernization and Employment Program and Resource Management Program
RAND National Security Research Division: Acquisition and Technology Policy Center

Featured Findings

Featured Findings Archive

Report

2012 RAND Arroyo Center Annual Report — May 17, 2013

This annual report describes Arroyo's research activities in 2012, with profiles of its five programs providing a close look at the year's research agenda. RAND Arroyo Center is the Army's federally funded research and development center for studies and analyses. Its mission is to help Army leaders make decisions that are informed by independent, objective, high-quality analysis.

Full Document

Commentary

Grappling with the Sequester: Q&A with Charles Nemfakos — Mar 20, 2013

Will any good come out of the Pentagon's sequester-mandated spending cuts? If nothing else, it will drive folks to think the unthinkable, says Charles Nemfakos.

Commentary

Report

A Gap Analysis of Life Cycle Management Commands and Best Purchasing and Supply Management Organizations — Jan 7, 2013

The Army Materiel Command (AMC) asked RAND Arroyo Center to review its achievements in implementing best purchasing and supply management practices, and assess how it compares to commercial enterprises. Arroyo found that the AMC is making good progress in the area of personnel education levels, but is losing ground in the area of supplier analysis.

Full Document

Featured Findings Archives >

Cover: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Seeking Commonality in Military Equipment

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Seeking Commonality in Military Equipment — 2011

Examines the desirable and undesirable trade-offs that U.S. Army decisionmakers must make regarding commonality in military equipment.

Research Brief

Cover: Alternative Fuels for Military Applications

Alternative Fuels for Military Applications — 2011

The military services have established programs geared toward reducing dependence on the use of petroleum-derived fuels in tactical weapon systems. This monograph examines alternative fuels that are candidates for military applications, focusing on economic viability, greenhouse gas emissions, military utility, and current alternative fuel development, testing, and certification efforts within the Department of Defense.

Full Document

Are Ships Different? Policies and Procedures for the Acquisition of Ship Programs — 2011

Department of Defense policies, procedures, and organizations for program management and oversight of defense acquisition programs do not align well with shipbuilding. Ship acquisition programs have characteristics that deviate from the normal framework in significant ways, resulting in disconnects and some confusion. The authors examine these differences and suggest policies that can better account for them.