Samantha McBirney

Military Yet to Fully Leverage Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing may very well become a critical component of the Defense Department supply chain, but challenges ranging from decentralized approaches among the various services, a lack of standards, limited awareness and know-how among military workforce and leadership, and intellectual property issues could prevent the Pentagon from realizing its potential.

Malaria Vaccine May Not Eliminate Need to Combat Counterfeit Medicines

The newly announced malaria vaccine could be a critical tool to combat the tremendous socioeconomic burden malaria causes. But global achievements in reducing malaria cases and deaths in the past decades may be in danger of significant reversal if the problem of counterfeiting continues.

The Unintended Consequences of a Proposed Cure for COVID-19

The very discussion of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as therapeutic options against COVID-19 has decreased their availability for proven treatments, exacerbated global shortages, fueled a rampant counterfeit drug market in Africa, and worsened trade tensions. What can be done to deal with these unintended consequences?

Report

Toward a Unified Multiscale Computational Model of the Human Body's Immediate Responses to Blast-Related Trauma: Proceedings and Expert Findings from a U.S. Department of Defense International State-of-the-Science Meeting

These proceedings describe the tenth U.S. Department of Defense International State-of-the-Science Meeting on Blast Injury Research, where experts discussed innovations in multiscale modeling of the human body's response to blast-related trauma.

Report

Among Black Americans, Is Military Service Associated with Better Quality of Life?

RAND researchers examined the ways in which military service might be correlated with certain health, economic, and social outcomes for Black Americans and explored several factors that could be meaningful to their health and well-being.

Report

Emerging Technology Beyond 2035: Scenario-Based Technology Assessment for Future Military Contingencies

This report presents the development and implementation of a technology assessment process to help the Army understand the implications of key emerging technologies that could be important for Army missions in the years 2035 to 2050.

Report

Disrupting Deterrence: Examining the Effects of Technologies on Strategic Deterrence in the 21st Century

The authors examined potential implications of emerging technologies for deterrence in the context of U.S. national security policy. They identified long-term effects on two major aspects of the deterrence dynamic -- effectiveness and stability.

Report

Toward a Unified Multiscale Computational Model of the Human Body's Immediate Responses to Blast-Related Trauma: A Review of the Scientific Literature

This report describes what is known about the human body's immediate responses to blast trauma from the results of computational modeling and identifies opportunities for further research in an effort to fill knowledge gaps.

Report

An Analysis of Alternative Approaches to Measuring Multinational Interoperability: Early Development of the Army Interoperability Measurement System (AIMS)

Researchers conducted an analysis of alternatives of interoperability measurement systems to support the U.S. Army in achieving interoperability with partners. Researchers identified a new approach, the Army Interoperability Measurement System.

Report

A Review of U.S. Army Non-Materiel Capability-Development Processes

This report analyzes non-materiel DOTLPF-P (doctrine, organization, training, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, policy) processes to help identify issues and changes to improve how the Army implements non-materiel solutions.

Commentary

Preparing Japan's Multi-Domain Defense Force for the Future Battlespace Using Emerging Technologies

RAND researchers explore how emerging technology areas, such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, may shape defense operations in the future, with a particular focus on Japan's need to keep pace with other countries' capabilities.

Report

Distributed Kill Chains: Drawing Insights for Mosaic Warfare from the Immune System and from the Navy

In Mosaic warfare, individual warfighting platforms are assembled like ceramic tiles to make a larger "mosaic," or force package. The authors apply lessons from the human immune system and a U.S. Navy project to mosaic warfare.

Report

Mitigating the Effects of Blast-Related Burn Injuries from Prolonged Field Care to Rehabilitation and Resilience: Proceedings and Expert Findings from a U.S. Department of Defense International State-of-the-Science Meeting

Blast-related burns, which accounted for most burns suffered by service members in the recent conflict in Afghanistan, are difficult to treat. These conference proceedings describe a meeting held at RAND to identify gaps in blast-injury research.

Draft

Shine Your Eyes: Technology, Policy, and a Need for Vigilance in Detecting Counterfeit Antimalarials in Sub-Saharan Africa

Explores ways to reduce the prevalence of substandard and falsified pharmaceuticals including counterfeit antimalarials.

Report

International Postdisaster Recoveries: Lessons for Puerto Rico on Supply-Chain Management and Recovery Governance

The authors analyze supply-chain management and recovery governance in four disaster-ridden countries. Research was conducted in Puerto Rico to assess recovery after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, recommend restorative measures, and improve resilience.

Report

The Effect of Blast-Related Burn Injuries from Prolonged Field Care to Rehabilitation and Resilience: A Review of the Scientific Literature

Researchers reviewed literature about blast-related burn injury, which is common among service members and is associated with infection, disability, military discharge, and mortality. Further research is needed on burn prevention and field care.