Acquisition and Technology

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:

Featured Findings

Featured Findings Archive

Report

RAND Arroyo Center Annual Report 2011 — Apr 17, 2012

The 2011 annual report provides a broad view of RAND Arroyo Center’s overall mission and major research activities. Explore the document to learn more about Arroyo’s people, projects, programs, and publications.

Report

Army Networks Enable Shared Situational Awareness and Unity of Action — Mar 14, 2012

The ability of U.S. forces to gather, process, and disseminate battlespace information in a networked fashion has given them an advantage in major combat operations. The Army should extend the network to lower echelons; expand it to include host nation, coalition, and other U.S. government partners; and invest more time in developing informal networks.

Report

Saving the Government Money: Examples from RAND's Federally Funded Research and Development Centers — Jan 12, 2012

RAND's three federally funded research and development centers apply research capital they have developed over the years to help decisionmakers solve problems and often save money as well. This publication lists and briefly summarizes some RAND projects undertaken over the past ten years that have helped save the government money or that have identified ways to do so. Amounts saved are estimated.

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Related Publications

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.

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.

Cover: Are Ships Different?

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.

View Additional Related Military Acquisition and Procurement Publications >

View Additional Related Military Technology Publications >

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