Bruce McClintock

@BHMcClintock on Twitter

Lead, Space Enterprise Initiative; Senior Policy Researcher

Off Site Office

Education

M.S. in aeronautical engineering, University of Florida; M.S. in airpower art and science, School of Advanced Airpower Studies; B.S. in astronautical engineering, United States Air Force Academy

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.

More Experts

Overview

Bruce McClintock is lead of the RAND Space Enterprise Initiative and a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. The RAND Space Enterprise Initiative is a virtual center that provides a focal point for all RAND space-related research for the U.S. government and U.S. allies. McClintock joined RAND in 2016 after retiring from the Air Force as a brigadier general. In addition to tours as an A-10 pilot and test pilot, he studied at the School for Advanced Airpower Studies, served at the Space Warfare Center at Schriever Air Force Base, was a special assistant to the commander of Air Force Space Command, was the U.S. Defense Attaché to Russia, and served as a White House Fellow.

McClintock's primary research focus at RAND has been space, military doctrine, strategy, and Eurasia security issues and he is currently guiding RAND's efforts to influence the sustainability, safety, and security of space for the new space era. He currently serves as a member a Track-II Dialogue on Strategic Stability with Russia focused on space norms.

He is the founder and CEO (Chief Exploration Officer) for Hike for Life (www.hikeforlife.co), an outdoor education company based in Colorado that nurtures community, inspires responsible exploration and helps preserve the great outdoors.

McClintock holds an M.S. in aeronautical engineering from the University of Florida, an M.S. in airpower art and science from the School of Advanced Airpower Studies, and a B.S. in astronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Research Focus

Concurrent Non-RAND Positions

CEO, Hike for Life; CEO, Zenith Advisors Group

Recent Projects

EUCOM Support
Multi-domain C2
Democratization of SIGINT
AI and ML for Defensive Counter Space
Russia's Global Interests

Selected Publications

Weinbaum C, Berner S, McClintock B, SIGINT for Anyone: The Growing Availability of Signals Intelligence in the Public Domain, RAND Corporation (PE-273), 2017

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: Arirang News, Korea; Defense & Aerospace Report; Wired

Commentary

Space Science and Technology

Russia's Withdrawal from the ISS: Another Sign of Its Space Decline?
Russia's threatened exit from the International Space Station could simply be more bluster from Moscow at a time of heightened tension between Russia and the West over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But it also appears to be another signal that Russia's profile in space is in decline, a trend that is likely to continue and that the United States could be preparing for now.
Aug 4, 2022
United Press International
Antisatellite Systems

U.S. Decision on ASAT Testing a Positive Step Towards Space Sustainability
The United States recently committed not to conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing. This sets an important example others might follow and takes an important first step towards a binding, international ban.
Apr 21, 2022
RealClearDefense
Space Science and Technology

Navigating Norms for the New Space Era
To make better progress on global norms for responsible behavior in space, the U.S. defense and intelligence communities might first consider reaching a consensus among themselves on what these norms should be. Until they reconcile their differences the United States will be less likely be in a position to play a leadership role.
Feb 8, 2021
The National Interest
Security Cooperation

How Joe Biden Can Galvanize Space Diplomacy
The potential for conflicts to originate in outer space, or for terrestrial conflicts to extend there, has grown with the development of counterspace weapons and the explosion of commercial space activity. But previous efforts to establish norms have had limited results. The Biden administration has an opportunity, working with like-minded allies and partners, to galvanize nascent international efforts.
Jan 15, 2021
Politico
Russia

Russia Is Eyeing the Mediterranean. The U.S. and NATO Must Be Prepared
Russia is seeking more access and freedom of movement in the Mediterranean region, and is bolstering its military footprint to achieve this objective. The United States and NATO could respond by developing a more robust southern strategy, with a reinforced air and naval presence, respectively.
Jun 30, 2020
Newsweek
Nuclear Deterrence

Stabilizing the Nuclear Cold War
Russia and the United States are still locked in a nuclear cold war. Thousands of nuclear weapons are deployed, some on high alert. Although the United States prudently withdrew from several past arms control treaties with Russia, it could be in America's interest to extend New START.
Feb 13, 2020
Inkstick
Satellite Communication

Space Safety Coordination: A Norm for All Nations
As space becomes more congested with satellites, the need for every nation to actively participate in the space safety coordination system grows. Most spacefaring countries participate, but a few countries do not—notably, Russia and China. That creates greater potential for collisions and hazards from debris.
Apr 16, 2019
Small Wars Journal
Security Cooperation

Joint Military Exercises Distract from Complex Russia-Belarus Relationship
Analysts and military leaders have concerns that Russia will use the Zapad 2017 exercise in Belarus as a smokescreen to put personnel and equipment in place, and keep it there. But the deep ties and history of cooperation between the two states make the chances of that happening unlikely.
Sep 13, 2017
The National Interest
Cyber Warfare

Russian Information Warfare: A Reality That Needs a Response
For the last three decades, Russia has exploited its growing capabilities in cyberspace to spy on, influence, and punish others. The West will continue to struggle to hold Moscow accountable, in part because international law falls far short of fully defining the rules or resolving conflicts.
Jul 21, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Russia

Russia in Action, Short of War
The West needs to work more quickly and coordinate better to offset Russia's capabilities, aggressiveness, and success. Responding to Russia's hostile influence involves predicting Russia's targets, identifying the tools it's likely to use, and playing the long game rather than focusing on near-term events.
May 9, 2017
U.S. News & World Report

Publications

Report
Competition in the Gray Zone: Countering China's Coercion Against U.S. Allies and Partners in the Indo-Pacific
This report examines how and why China uses gray zone tactics—coercive activities beyond normal diplomacy and trade but below the use of kinetic military force—against U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Mar 30, 2022
Research Brief
A New Framework for Understanding and Countering China's Gray Zone Tactics
This brief presents a framework for understanding how and why China uses gray zone tactics—coercive activities beyond normal diplomacy and trade but below the use of kinetic military force—against U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Mar 30, 2022
Report
Deterrence and Escalation in Competition with Russia: The Role of Ground Forces in Preventing Hostile Measures Below Armed Conflict in Europe
In this report, the authors seek to understand how the United States might use its military posture in Europe -- particularly focusing on ground forces -- as part of a strategy to deter Russian malign activities in the competition space.
Jan 20, 2022
Report
Deterrence and Escalation in Competition with Russia: Executive Summary
In this report, the authors seek to understand how the United States might use its military posture in Europe -- particularly focusing on ground forces -- as part of a strategy to deter Russian malign activities in the competition space.
Jan 20, 2022
Report
Russia's Global Interests and Actions: Growing Reach to Match Rejuvenated Capabilities
This perspective informs the subject of Russia's global ambitions and actions—its key interests and objectives and its foreign policy approaches to pursuing or protecting them.
Jun 15, 2021
Report
Responsible Space Behavior for the New Space Era: Preserving the Province of Humanity
Humans have explored near-earth space for more than six decades, yet the basic mechanisms for governing space activities have only marginally changed. The authors offer suggestions on how to improve space governance and responsible space behavior.
Apr 26, 2021
Journal Article
Nasty, Brutish, and Short—The Future of Space Operations in the Absence of the Rule of Law: Addressing Congestion, Contestation, and Competitiveness in the New Space Era
Existing treaties and laws are not sufficient to govern space given the dramatic growth in space activity. Ensuring a safe, secure, and prosperous space for all nations may require the application of social contract theory to space governance.
2021
Report
RAND Space Launch Virtual Panel
A virtual panel discussion hosted by the RAND Space Enterprise Initiative tackles issues related to the global space launch enterprise.
Dec 8, 2020
Research Brief
Multiple Dilemmas for the Joint Force: Joint All-Domain Command and Control
The authors examine potential command and control impediments to multidomain operations and propose alternative models for joint all-domain command and control.
Dec 3, 2020
Report
Multiple Dilemmas: Challenges and Options for All-Domain Command and Control
The authors examine potential command-and-control impediments to multidomain operations and propose alternative models for joint all-domain command and control.
Dec 3, 2020
Report
At the Vanguard: European Contributions to NATO's Future Combat Airpower
Europe's air forces have the opportunity to make increasingly pronounced contributions to NATO's defense and deterrent posture in combat air campaigns, especially high-intensity operations requiring rapid and large-scale application of airpower.
Oct 22, 2020
Report
Promoting Joint Warfighting Proficiency: The Role of Doctrine in Preparing Airmen for Joint Operations
This report describes the differences and similarities between Air Force and joint doctrine and identifies ways to increase doctrinal alignment. It also evaluates the potential role of doctrine in increasing airmen's joint warfighting proficiency.
Aug 16, 2018
Report
SIGINT for Anyone: The Growing Availability of Signals Intelligence in the Public Domain
This Perspective examines signals intelligence (SIGINT) technologies available outside of government to understand the capabilities they provide and their implications for government policy and practices.
Dec 5, 2017
Journal Article
The Russian Space Sector: Adaptation, Retrenchment, and Stagnation
The journey of the Russian space industry since the collapse of the Soviet Union offers a case study in how Russia, in spite of indications to do otherwise, chose not to break with previous models of behavior and organization.
Jul 20, 2017

Multimedia

1:01:49

RAND Space Launch Virtual Panel
Sep 8, 2020
2:38

Introducing the RAND Space Enterprise Initiative
Sep 4, 2020