Warfare and Military Operations

RAND researchers examine military and national security issues across a broad spectrum — from political dissent and military training to tactical operations and reconstruction efforts — and take a long-term, global perspective. Terrorism, types of warfare, and international intervention are among the many topics RAND explores.

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

Reports (667)

Feasibility of Laser Power Transmission to a High-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle — Jun 9, 2011

Is powering an ultra-high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle with a laser beam a practical possibility?

Policy Choices for United States to Dissuade Iran from Developing Nuclear Weapons — Jun 7, 2011

Dissuading Iran from developing nuclear weapons faces major obstacles, but it's too soon to give up trying as it may still be possible to influence the outcome of Iran's internal political debate.

The Future of Al Qa'ida — May 24, 2011

Even after the death of Osama bin Laden, al Qa'ida and allied groups continue to present a grave threat to the United States and its allies by overseeing and encouraging terrorist operations, managing a robust propaganda campaign, conducting training, and facilitating financial assistance.

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.

Complex trauma research in the UK: A rapid review of the funding landscape — Apr 18, 2011

This documented briefing presents the results of a rapid review of the funding landscape for complex trauma research in the UK. Recommendations are made about how to strengthen this niche and orphan area of research.

Efficiencies from Applying a Rotational Equipping Strategy — Apr 18, 2011

Analyzes how the Army might use a rotational strategy to reduce equipment in early phases of the Army Force Generation cycle, how changes might be applied to units and equipment, and how changes might affect near- and far-term budgets.

Air Travel Security Since 9/11 — Apr 12, 2011

The author explores air travel security performance since 9/11, identifies missed opportunities and innovations, and considers potential next steps.

Advancing the State of the Art in Monitoring and Evaluation of Stabilization Interventions — Apr 6, 2011

Unstable and violent political environments often give rise to a range of complex problems for peaceful development. RAND Europe reviewed the state of the art in monitoring and evaluation in stabilization environments and found ways to improve practice.

Army Children with a Parent Deployed Nineteen Months or Longer Experience More Academic Difficulties — Apr 4, 2011

Army children whose parents have deployed 19 months or more since 2001 score lower on standardized tests than other Army children whose parents have deployed for shorter periods of time.

Looming Discontinuities in U.S. Military Strategy and Defense Planning: Colliding RMAs Necessitate a New Strategy — Mar 22, 2011

U.S. defense planning is beset with technology-related problems for force projection, obsolescence of forces and concepts of operations, and the need for a new Asian-Pacific strategy. Finding the way ahead amidst fiscal constraints is challenging.

Upgrading the Extender: Which Options Are Cost-Effective for Modernizing the KC-10? — Feb 25, 2011

The Air Force is considering upgrades to the KC-10 in several areas. An assessment of options to upgrade the KC-10 weighed the costs and potential benefits of the upgrades against demands in different types of operations and KC-10 roles.

Intratheater Airlift Functional Area Analysis (FAA) — Feb 24, 2011

This functional area analysis lays out the tasks, conditions, and standards for the intratheater airlift fleet, taken from high-level guidance, various operational concepts, and recent operational experience and the key variables for later analyses.

Intratheater Airlift Functional Solution Analysis (FSA) — Feb 24, 2011

This functional solution analysis assesses changes to current U.S. Air Force operations to determine whether a nonmateriel solution could close the capability gap identified in the functional needs analysis.

Intratheater Airlift Functional Needs Analysis (FNA) — Feb 24, 2011

This functional needs analysis assesses the ability of current U.S. Air Force assets to deliver the airlift capabilities identified in the functional area analysis.

Analysis of Chinese Military Doctrine Indicates China Could Pose Serious Challenge to U.S. and Allied Air Forces — Feb 18, 2011

An exhaustive study of Chinese military sources reveals that a future Chinese air force campaign would, under most likely scenarios, seriously test the United States and its allies in a conflict.

Managing Air Force Joint Expeditionary Taskings in an Uncertain Environment — Feb 3, 2011

Air Force career fields are experiencing deployment strains due to joint requests for forces. A RAND-developed model used personnel and deployment data to assess the supply of and demand for personnel and capabilities to fill these joint assignments.

Anti-Access Measures in Chinese Defense Strategy — Jan 27, 2011

Testimony presented before the U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission on January 27, 2011.

Chinese Use of Cyberwar as an Anti-Access Strategy: Two Scenarios — Jan 27, 2011

Testimony presented before the U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission on January 27, 2011.

Early Observations on Possible Defenses by the Emerging Threat Agent Project — Jan 19, 2011

Gaps in defenses against chemical and biological weapon agents can pose a serious risk to U.S. military operations. This paper summarizes early expert observations about the threat and possible responses.

Developing a Prototype Handbook for Monitoring and Evaluating Department of Defense Humanitarian Assistance Projects — Jan 18, 2011

RAND developed a prototype handbook to provide humanitarian assistance project staff with an introduction to monitoring and evaluation terms, approaches, and best practices and a step-by-step user's guide for project assessment.

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