Mel Eisman

Senior Operations Research Analyst

Santa Monica Office

Education

M.S.I.E. in operations research, Pennsylvania State University; B.S. in industrial engineering, State University of New York

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Mel Eisman is a senior operations research analyst at the RAND Corporation. He has generated system life-cycle cost estimates for analysis of alternative studies on future Air Force airborne tanker and airborne electronic attack options, and participated in cost-effectiveness studies of (1) manned vs. unmanned airborne systems platform/sensor force mix options for performing future Air Force missions; (2) space-based and airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems portfolio force mix options; (3) U.S. Space Force–proliferated small satellites over larger monolithic satellites; (4) U.S. Space Force use of commercial space providers for augmenting and improving the resilience of fuiture space missions; and (5) terrorism countermeasures and other security initiatives for improving passenger security at rail stations and airports. In addition, Eisman has co-led two Air Force studies in (1) improving estimates of future airborne electronic warfare systems by assessing technical and acquisition cost benchmarks and trends of existing systems; and (2) developing the cost framework for estimating future airborne directed high energy laser weapon systems. He also led two Army studies on assessing the cost benefits of product support contractor vs. organic logistics support courses of action on ground combat vehicles and fixed wing aircraft. He was a committee member on a congressionally-mandated National Academies study involving "An Assessment of Concepts and Systems for U.S. Boost-Phase Missile Defense in Comparison to Other Alternatives", and a Naval Studies Board study on improving “Defenses of Forward-Deployed U.S. Navy Platforms from Potential Enemy Missiles.” Eisman received his M.S.I.E. from Pennsylvania State University.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

USAF space systems acquisition cost estimating improvements focused on transitioning to increased design of smaller commercial-based satellites' technologies
U.S. Army improvements in determining weapon systems’ “best value” and lowest life-cycle cost (LCC) mix of contractor vs. organic logistics support
DoD & USAF cost-effectiveness investment assessment options in acquiring and sustaining a future force mix of current & future airborne missiles and early-warning sensor systems to defend against adversary surface-to-air & air-to-air missile threats
USAF Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Cost Methodology for estimating the acquisition costs of future airborne high-energy laser weapons systems budgets
USAF Airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems Cost Benchmark Assessment for improving the fidelity of estimating the development & procurement costs of acquiring future next-generation on-board EW integrated airborne systems, pod-based EW systems, and sta

Selected Publications

Eckhause, Jeremy M., David T. Orletsky, Aaron C. Davenport, Mel Eisman, Raza Khan, Jonathan Theel, Marc Thibault, Dulani Woods, and Michelle D. Ziegler, Meeting U.S. Coast Guard Airpower Needs: Assessing the Options, RAND Corporation (RR-3179-DHS), 2020

Wilson, Bradley, Jessie Riposo, Thomas Goughnour, Rachel M. Burns, Michael J. D. Vermeer, Ajay K. Kochhar, Angelena Bohman, and Mel Eisman, Naval Aviation Maintenance System: Analysis of Alternatives, RAND Corporation (RR-2974/1-NAVY), 2020

Wilson, Bradley, Jessie Riposo, Thomas Goughnour, Mel Eisman, Angelena Bohman, Shane Tierney, and Rachel M. Burns, Naval Operational Supply System: Analysis of Alternatives, RAND Corporation (RR-2403-NAVY), 2018

Wilson, Bradley, Isaac R. Porche III, Mel Eisman, Michael Nixon, Shane Tierney, John Yurchak, Kim Kendall, James Dryden, and Sean Critelli, Maritime Tactical Command and Control Analysis of Alternatives, RAND Corporation (RR-1383-NAVY), 2016

McLeod, Gary, George Nacouzi, Paul Dreyer, Mel Eisman, Myron Hura, Krista Langeland, David Manheim, and Geoffrey Torrington, Enhancing Space Resilience Through Non-Materiel Means, RAND Corporation (RR-1067-AF), 2016

Kim, Yool, Elliot Axelband, Abby Doll, Mel Eisman, Myron Hura, Edward G. Keating, Martin C. Libicki, Bradley Martin, Michael McMahon, Jerry M. Sollinger, Erin York, Mark V. Arena, Irv Blickstein, and William Shelton, Acquisition of Space Systems, Volume 7: Past Problems and Future Challenges, RAND Corporation (MG-1171/7-OSD), 2015

Younossi, Obaid, Mark A. Lorell, Kevin Brancato, Cynthia R. Cook, Mel Eisman, Bernard Fox, John C. Graser, Yool Kim, Robert S. Leonard, Shari Lawrence Pfleeger, and Jerry M. Sollinger, Improving the Cost Estimation of Space Systems: Past Lessons and Future Recommendations, RAND Corporation (MG-690-AF), 2008

Mel Eisman and Dan Gonzales, Life Cycle Cost Assessments for Military Transatmospheric Vehicles, RAND Corporation (MR-893), 2004

Publications

Report
Meeting U.S. Coast Guard Airpower Needs: Assessing the Options
Researchers assessed what airpower fleet mixes could best posture the U.S. Coast Guard to execute its various missions globally to meet future operational requirements. This report provides their findings and recommendations.
Apr 21, 2020
Report
Naval Aviation Maintenance System: Analysis of Alternatives
This report presents the results of an analysis of alternatives for fielding the Naval Aviation Maintenance System, which is intended to help modernize the U.S. Navy's afloat and ashore maintenance capabilities.
Mar 9, 2020
Report
Naval Operational Supply System: Analysis of Alternatives
The Department of the Navy asked the RAND Corporation to assist with the Analysis of Alternatives for modernization of its future operational supply, food service, and retail operations capability, the Naval Operational Supply System.
Oct 11, 2018
Report
Maritime Tactical Command and Control Analysis of Alternatives
This report is about software systems that support situational awareness and command and control (C2) for the U.S. Navy. This report provides the results of an analysis of alternatives for the follow-on to the Global C2 system maritime (GCCS-M).
Aug 29, 2016
Report
Enhancing Space Resilience Through Non-Materiel Means
Because changes to space systems are costly, the Air Force asked RAND to identify non-materiel means -- doctrine, organization, training, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy -- to enhance resilience.
Apr 28, 2016
Report
Acquisition of Space Systems, Volume 7: Past Problems and Future Challenges
As Department of Defense plans for the next-generation space systems in an increasingly challenging fiscal and security environment, it is important to apply lessons learned from past space acquisition, which had experienced many difficulties.
Mar 30, 2015
Report
Tracking Inmates and Locating Staff with Active Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID): Early Lessons Learned in One U.S. Correctional Facility
The lessons identified in this report pertain to the issues for a correctional facility to take into account when considering whether to deploy an active radio-frequency identification (RFID) system within the institution.
Jun 28, 2010
Report
Improving the Cost Estimation of Space Systems: Past Lessons and Future Recommendations
Analyzes the reason for the comparatively high growth in the cost of space systems by means of an in-depth study of two systems: SBIRS-High and GPS.
Jul 25, 2008
Research Brief
A Framework for Planning Cost-Effective Rail Security Against a Terrorist Attack
This research brief explains a framework to guide cost-effective passenger-rail security planning and applies it to a notional rail system that characterizes rail systems typically found in the United States.
Dec 3, 2007
Report
Securing America's Passenger-Rail Systems
This book explains a framework that security planners and policymakers can use for cost-effective rail-security planning. It focuses specifically on terrorism risk, which is a function of threat, vulnerability, and consequences.
Dec 2, 2007
Research Brief
Analysis of Alternatives for Recapitalizing the Air Force's KC-135 Aerial Refueling Tanker
This research brief describes an analysis that assessed alternatives for recapitalization of the ageing KC-135 air tanker fleet.
Mar 9, 2006
Report
Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) for KC-135 Recapitalization: Executive Summary
Aerial refueling is critical to U.S. military and national security strategy; this analysis assessed alternatives for recapitalization of the ageing KC-135 fleet.
Mar 6, 2006
Report
Implementing Security Improvement Options at Los Angeles International Airport
Reasserting the need for reducing the density of people in unsecured areas at Los Angeles International Airport, the authors advise that adding security film to the tempered windows will likely not reduce fatalities in the event of a bomb detonation.
Feb 16, 2006
Report
Protecting Commercial Aviation Against the Shoulder-Fired Missile Threat
Examines the capabilities and costs of onboard technologies to divert or destroy missiles attacking commercial airliners.
Jan 20, 2005
Report
Near-Term Options for Improving Security at Los Angeles International Airport
Examining near-term options for reducing the terrorist threat to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), this study assesses LAX’s vulnerability to a wide range of possible terrorist actions and examines possible alternative courses of action.
Sep 23, 2004
Report
Proceedings of the RAND Project AIR FORCE Workshop on Transatmospheric Vehicles
A workshop was held at RAND in April 1995 to examine TAV mission, technical feasibility, and design issues. This report summarizes the proceedings of that workshop and subsequent research into relevant questions flowing from the discussions.
1997
Report
Life Cycle Cost Assessments for Military Transatmospheric Vehicles
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.
1997