Edward R. Harshberger

Photo of Edward Harshberger
Vice President and Director, RAND Project AIR FORCE
Santa Monica Office

Education

Ph.D. in policy analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School; B.A. in economics and physical chemistry, Williams College

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

Edward R. (Ted) Harshberger is vice president and director of RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF) and leads an organization of over 125 dedicated research professionals. Since its inception in 1946, PAF has remained the Air Force's only federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) concerned entirely with studies and analyses. 

This is Harshberger's second stint at RAND, where he previously served as director of the Aerospace Force Development Program in PAF; director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program in PAF; and associate director, Operations and Planning, in the RAND National Security Research Division. Under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA), Harshberger served from 1993 to 1995 as special assistant to the director of Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

From 2006 through 2011, Harshberger served as director of corporate strategic development at Northrop Grumman Corporation within the office of the chief executive officer. In this role, he was responsible for identifying, evaluating, and prosecuting internal and external strategic initiatives that positioned Northrop Grumman for high-return growth.

From 2011 to 2012, Harshberger served as senior director for global operations at Harman International, overseeing the sales and operations process and outbound logistics activities for a $250M high-end audio and electronics company.

Harshberger received his B.A. with honors in economics and physical chemistry from Williams College and his master's and doctorate in policy analysis (general distinction) from the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He also graduated from the UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Program.

Research Focus

Commentary

  • An aerial view of the Pentagon building in Washington D.C., June 15, 2005, photo by Jason Reed/Reuters

    Defense Budget Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic

    The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a dramatic toll on the U.S. economy. This could have significant medium-term implications for the U.S. defense budget. The U.S. Department of Defense will need to find efficiencies that are of at least the same magnitude as the recent sequestration.

    Apr 7, 2020 RealClearDefense

  • A 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief marshals a B-2A Spirit bomber during an orientation flight at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., May 27, 2015

    Inside the Fish Bowl: High Stakes Acquisition Protests

    The Boeing-Lockheed Martin team filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office asserting that the U.S. Air Force's selection of Northrop Grumman to build the Long Range Strike-Bomber was fundamentally flawed. Work on the program, valued at approximately $80 billion, is now paused.

    Dec 3, 2015 Defense News

  • U.S. Air Force Academy's unmanned Viking 300 aircraft

    Expect More Drone Use Like Recent Israeli Episode

    Practically any country that aspires to an indigenous aviation industry (as most countries do, even if only for national pride) has a reasonably capable, medium-altitude unmanned drone system in development or flying already, writes Ted Harshberger.

    Oct 11, 2012 U.S. News & World Report

Publications

Multimedia