Designing and fielding a fleet of technologically superior military aircraft is often an imperative for national and regional security, but the cost involved in acquiring and maintaining such fleets places a significant burden on defense budgets and can impact a nation's ability to project force. RAND research has provided policymakers with essential evaluations and recommendations to implement cost savings in the design, acquisition, and fielding of military aircraft.
Report
Advanced technology and demonstration programs currently under way may ultimately lead to a transatmospheric reusable launch vehicle suitable for insertion into low earth orbit or for delivery of payloads to distant targets within minutes.
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In this book, Mark Lorell traces the evolution of the FS-X, disclosing the conflicting economic and security objectives advanced by U.S. officials, the flawed U.S. policy of technology reciprocity, and the challenges of international collaboration.
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The work described in this documented briefing reviews five studies to determine whether any general conclusions may be drawn regarding the merits of multipoint aerial refueling.
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In an uncertain world, the United States faces difficult decisions regarding the structure of its military forces. Critical issues to be decided include the future of manned fighter aircraft, the composition and nature of the army of the future, whic...
Research Brief
Discusses the challenges posed by light infantry opponents and presents new operational concepts that may help meet such challenges.
Report
Presents an assessment of operational concepts for, and effects of, integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with combat aviation missions.
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This document contains the supporting data for MR-478/1-AF, Trends in the Global Balance of Airpower. Its tables give country-by-country counts of military aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, and helicopters for the year 1991.
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This report presents a comprehensive overview of ground attacks on air bases from the first known attacks in 1940 to the most recent in 1992.
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In the end, the FS-X program has failed to meet many of the original U.S. expectations, and Japan has reaped an unexpected reward -- experience in developing a world-class fighter aircraft. This book summarizes and assesses the program.
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In the end, the FS-X program has failed to meet many of the original U.S. expectations, and Japan has reaped an unexpected reward -- experience in developing a world-class fighter aircraft. This book presents a history of the program.
Research Brief
Reviews the historical record of major prime contractors in developing new bomber aircraft and attempts to determine the significance of established R&D experience in building and maintaining a competitive design and development capability for such aircraft.
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Declining defense budgets have prompted concern about the financial health of the prime contractors for military aircraft. In this report, the authors examine financial indicators for the seven contractors active in the 1980s.
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Intertheater airlift provides the Department of Defense with the ability to deliver combat forces or humanitarian relief rapidly anywhere in the world and to respond quickly to changing circumstances.
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Intertheater airlift provides the Department of Defense with the ability to deliver combat forces or humanitarian relief rapidly anywhere in the world and to respond quickly to changing circumstances.
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Intertheater airlift provides the Department of Defense with the ability to deliver combat forces or humanitarian relief rapidly anywhere in the world and to respond quickly to changing circumstances.
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In light of changes in the world situation and in available funds, the Air Force is assessing the roles and effectiveness of existing and planned aircraft.
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Measures how differences in F-15E and F-16C Block 50 payload and radius characteristics influence the ability of these aircraft to deliver GBU- and CBU-class weapons against a variety of target sets.
Research Brief
This research brief summarizes analysis contained in the RAND Corporation report, "Project AIR FORCE Analysis of the Air War in the Gulf: An Assessment of Strategic Airlift Operational Efficiency" (R-4269/2-AF).
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Describes the author's experience as the first American to fly the Soviet MiG-29 fighter and the first Westerner to fly any type of combat aircraft in Soviet airspace since World War II.
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This Note suggests the magnitude of the effects of policies and strategies to enhance reliability of Air Force aircraft weapon systems. Using the F-16A/B fighter aircraft program as a case study, the authors found that the benefits of improved reliab...
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