Brian Dolan

@BrianJamesDolan on Twitter

Engineer

Pittsburgh Office

Education

Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, University of Cincinnati; B.S. in mechanical and aerospace engineering, SUNY Buffalo

One Page Bio

Overview

Brian Dolan (he/him) is an engineer with expertise in aerospace science and engineering, air and space warfare, science and technology policy, and modeling complex systems. His research at RAND spans many aspects of military operations and acquisitions for the air and space domains. Recent work has studied topics such as the readiness of the US Space Force, export policy for WMD delivery systems, integrated conventional and nuclear operations, and DOD use of commercial space services.

Prior to joining RAND in 2017, Dolan held a temporary research position at the IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute, where he delivered technical analysis on public policy topics. In 2016, he earned his Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, where he led multiple research and development programs that improved the performance, and our understanding of, advanced aerospace propulsion systems.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

Dolan, Brian, Bonnie L. Triezenberg, Emmi Yonekura, Sandra Kay Evans, Moon Kim, Dwayne M. Butler, Sarah W. Denton, and Shreyas Bharadwaj, Understanding, Managing, and Reporting U.S. Space Force Readiness, RAND Corporation (RR-A977-1), 2023

Yonekura, Emmi, Brian Dolan, Moon Kim, Krista Romita Grocholski, Raza Khan, and Yool Kim, Commercial Space Capabilities and Market Overview: The Relationship Between Commercial Space Developments and the U.S. Department of Defense, RAND Corporation (RR-A578-2), 2022

Triezenberg, Bonnie L., William Shelton, Megan McKernan, Sarah W. Denton, James Dimarogonas, Brian Dolan, Shane Manuel, Gwen Mazzotta, Sydne J. Newberry, Laurinda L. Rohn, Karen Schwindt, Yuliya Shokh, and Jordan Willcox, Improving Integration and Synchronization of Space Acquisition and Fielding, RAND Corporation (RR-A1735-1), 2023

Snyder, Don, Sherrill Lingel, George Nacouzi, Brian Dolan, Jake McKeon, John Speed Meyers, Kurt Klein, and Thomas Hamilton, Managing Nuclear Modernization Challenges for the U.S. Air Force: A Mission-Centric Approach, RAND Corporation (RR-3178-AF), 2019

George Nacouzi, J.D. Williams, Brian Dolan, Anne Stickells, David Luckey, Colin Ludwig, Jia Xu, Yuliya Shokh, Daniel M. Gerstein, Michael H. Decker, Assessment of the Proliferation of Certain Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems: Response to Section 1276 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, The RAND Corporation (RR-2369), 2017

Brian Dolan, Rodrigo Villalva Gomez, Spencer Pack, Ephraim Gutmark, "Measurements and Analysis of Alternating Flow Patterns in a Multinozzle Combustor," AIAA Journal, 55(1), 2017

Brian Dolan, Rodrigo Villalva Gomez, Gregory Zink, Spencer Pack, Ephraim Gutmark, "Effect of Nozzle Spacing on Nitrogen-Oxide Emissions and Lean Operability," AIAA Journal, 54(6), 2016

Publications

Report
Life Cycle Management of Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft: Improving FAA Certification, Implementation of Digital Engineering and Sustainment Strategy
Drawing on interviews with U.S. Air Force, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and industry experts, the authors assess the benefits and challenges of (and propose best practices for) commercial derivative aircraft acquisition.
Nov 21, 2023
Report
Improving Integration and Synchronization of Space Acquisition and Fielding
The authors of this research explored ways the United States Space Force can facilitate the integration and synchronization of space acquisition and fielding to support the delivery of end-to-end space capabilities to outpace adversary threats.
Aug 31, 2023
Report
Understanding, Managing, and Reporting U.S. Space Force Readiness
As a branch of the U.S. military, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) must understand, manage, and report its readiness. The authors of this report have created a readiness framework for the USSF and instructions on how to implement it.
Mar 7, 2023
Report
Commercial Space Capabilities and Market Overview: The Relationship Between Commercial Space Developments and the U.S. Department of Defense
In this broad review of commercial space capabilities that could support the U.S. Space Force's future space architecture and innovation ecosystem, the authors characterize capabilities and trends through mid-2020 in seven commercial space sectors.
Apr 14, 2022
Report
Managing Nuclear Modernization Challenges for the U.S. Air Force: A Mission-Centric Approach
This report identifies and describes means to allay significant challenges to the fielding of new Air Force nuclear weapon systems, with a focus on the integrated planning and preparation for mission success across programs.
Oct 29, 2019
Report
Assessment of the Proliferation of Certain Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems: Response to Section 1276 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
RAND Corporation researchers assessed the impact that certain remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) governed by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) have on U.S. national security interests. In this report, they document their findings.
Jun 14, 2018