Fighter Aircraft

Military aircraft such as the F-16 and Joint Strike Fighter, which are designed to perform air-to-air combat operations, are the primary means by which armed forces gain air superiority over their opponents in battle. RAND has studied fighter aircraft for many decades to provide civilian and military decisionmakers with critical recommendations on logistics, acquisition support, fleet modernization, and maintenance, to maximize effectiveness and innovation.

Research conducted by: RAND Project AIR FORCE; RAND National Security Research Division; RAND Europe

All Items (42)

Report

Assessment of Beddown Alternatives for the F-35 — Apr 3, 2013

RAND assessed the savings potential of reconfiguring the U.S. Air Force's combat-coded F-35s into larger squadrons and adjusting the Primary Aerospace Vehicle Authorized mix across the Active and Reserve Components.

Report

Assessment of Beddown Alternatives for the F-35: Executive Summary — Apr 3, 2013

RAND assessed the savings potential of reconfiguring the U.S. Air Force's combat-coded F-35s into larger squadrons and adjusting the Primary Aerospace Vehicle Authorized mix across the Active and Reserve Components.

Report

Naval Aviation Budgeting: Cost Adjustment Sheets and the Flying Hour Program — Oct 4, 2012

RAND assessed the contribution of Cost Adjustment Sheets (CASs) to the accuracy of Navy's Flying Hour Program budgets, whether CAS usage is correlated with expenditure-per-flying-hour growth, and why CASs have been used more by the F/A-18 program.

News Release

Flawed Strategy, Not a 'Failure of Air Power,' Led to Israel's Disappointing Performance in 2006 Lebanon War — May 23, 2011

Israel's disappointing performance in its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006 did not reflect a "failure of air power," but rather a failure of Israel's political and military leaders to properly assess the enemy, set achievable goals, apply an effective strategy and adequately manage public expectations.

Report

Flawed Strategy, Not a 'Failure of Air Power,' Led to Israel's Disappointing Performance in 2006 Lebanon War — May 23, 2011

Israel's disappointing performance in its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006 did not reflect a "failure of air power," but rather a failure of Israel's political and military leaders to properly assess the enemy, set achievable goals, apply an effective strategy and adequately manage public expectations.

Report

The J-20 Episode and Civil-Military Relations in China — Mar 10, 2011

Written testimony submitted to the U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission on March 10, 2011.

Report

Retaining F-22A Tooling: Options and Costs — Feb 21, 2011

For a modest, one-time additional cost of $17 million and a very small additional annual recurring cost, the Air Force can retain all F-22A unique government tools rather than only those required for sustainment.

Report

A Methodology for Comparing Costs and Benefits of Management Alternatives for F-22 Sustainment — Feb 16, 2011

The U.S. Air Force asked RAND Project AIR FORCE to perform a congressionally required assessment of contractor versus organic management of F-22 sustainment to determine the most cost-effective approach, the methodology for which is described here.

Report

Investment Strategies for Improving Fifth-Generation Fighter Training — Feb 10, 2011

To close training gaps for fifth-generation fighters, documented training requirements and resolution of technological uncertainties related to live, virtual, and constructive training capabilities are needed.

Report

Evaluating the Desirability of Navy F/A-18E/F Service Life Extension Programs (SLEPs) — Dec 14, 2010

This report presents ranges of parameter values that favor versus oppose undertaking Navy F/A-18E/F service life extension programs versus buying replacement Joint Strike Fighters.

Report

Analysis of the Air Force Logistics Enterprise: Evaluation of Global Repair Network Options for Supporting the F-16 and KC-135 — Oct 30, 2009

Develops an approach for rebalancing aircraft maintenance capabilities between mission generation units and a network of centralized repair facilities, illustrated by an application to the F-16 and KC-135 weapon systems.

Report

The Netherlands F-16 Comparative Analysis: An Evaluation of the Process — Dec 16, 2008

In 2008, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence conducted a comparative analysis of potential candidates to replace its F-16 fighter aircraft. This report presents RAND Europe's evaluation of that analysis.

News Release

Statement Regarding Media Coverage of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — Sep 25, 2008

Andrew Hoehn, Director of RAND Project Air Force, made a statement today regarding articles that have appeared in the Australian press with assertions regarding a war game in which analysts from RAND were involved.

News Release

RAND Study Estimates Multiyear Purchase of F-22A Fighters Would Save Air Force Hundreds of Millions of Dollars — Jun 29, 2007

RAND Study Estimates Multiyear Purchase of F-22A Fighters Would Save Air Force Hundreds of Millions of Dollars, RAND Study Finds.

Report

F-22A Multiyear Procurement Program: An Assessment of Cost Savings — Jun 25, 2007

Reviews the estimated savings to be gained from awarding multi-year contracts for 60 F-22A aircraft over three years.

Report

Assessing the Impact of Future Operations on Trainer Aircraft Requirements — Jun 29, 2005

Addresses the impact of changing skills required of fighter, mobility, bomber, and Special Operations Forces pilots on decisions about replacing or extending service lives of trainer aircraft

News Release

RAND Study Finds Competition And Innovation In Military Fixed-wing Aircraft Industry Threatened — Oct 29, 2003

There will be less competition and innovation in the U.S. military aircraft industry and some highly skilled specialists will leave the industry over the next 10 years unless the nation begins additional aircraft development programs, according to a RAND Corporation study released today.

Commentary

Swarming -- The Next Face of Battle — Sep 29, 2003

Technological advances often give rise to new types of weapons, but the achievement of lasting breakthroughs in fighting power requires organizational and doctrinal innovation as we.

Report

Assembling and Supporting the Joint Strike Fighter in the UK: Issues and Costs — Jan 1, 2003

Would it be worthwhile for the United Kingdom to undertake some of the assembly and repair work for its Joint Strike Fighter?

Journal Article

Expeditionary Airpower: F-15 Support Analysis : Exploring F-15 Avionics Intermediate Maintenance Concepts to Meet AEF Challenges — Jan 1, 1999

Examines options the Air Force might consider for F-15 avionics maintenance to work toward achieving EAF goals.

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