Report
Is the Defense Acquisition System Postured to Solve National Defense Strategy Operational Problems?
The authors propose assessing the defense acquisition system's ability to overcome the operational problems outlined in the 2018 National Defense Strategy, discuss why the approach is valuable, and suggest next steps.
Sep 20, 2021
Report
Acquiring a Mosaic Force: Issues, Options, and Trade-Offs
Mosaic Warfare envisions more fractionated, heterogeneous forces, dynamically composed on tactical timelines. In this report, the authors present insights from a policy game to assess alternative governance models for acquiring a Mosaic force.
Aug 9, 2021
Report
Enhancing Assessments of Space Mission Assurance
The authors describe decisionmaker needs for assessments of space mission assurance (SMA), challenges for conducting SMA assessments, the shortfalls that may result from the challenges, and options for addressing the shortfalls.
May 20, 2020
Report
Building a Broader Evidence Base for Defense Acquisition Policymaking
This report summarizes the case for a broader evidence base for defense acquisition policymaking. It also describes a prototype policy game focused on Middle-Tier Acquisition that researchers developed to enrich the available evidence base.
May 19, 2020
Report
Do Differing Analyses Change the Decision? Using a Game to Assess Whether Differing Analytic Approaches Improve Decisionmaking
In this report, RAND researchers use a structured comparison game to examine the value proposition of different analytic inputs (scenario-based versus Robust Decision Making) on a sample U.S. Department of Defense decision about force structure.
Apr 8, 2019
Report
What Role Can Land-Based, Multi-Domain Anti-Access/Area Denial Forces Play in Deterring or Defeating Aggression?
This report examines the role that land-based, multi-domain anti-access/area denial forces can play in helping the U.S. and its allies and partners deter or defeat aggression in the western Pacific, European littoral areas, and the Persian Gulf.
May 22, 2017
Report
Australia's Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise: Preparing for the 21st Century
RAND researchers explore the feasibility of Australia sustaining a domestic naval shipbuilding industry compared with buying ships from foreign shipbuilders. The authors outline the complex consequences and trade-offs of both options.
Apr 15, 2015
Report
Lessons Learned from the Afghan Mission Network: Developing a Coalition Contingency Network
Reviews and assesses the operational and technical history of the Afghan Mission Network, the primary network for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and identifies lessons learned for future coalition networks.
Mar 28, 2014
Report
Assessing Aegis Program Transition to an Open-Architecture Model
To reduce costs and take advantage of commercial technology, the U.S. Navy is pursuing open-architecture software and other improvements to its Aegis combat system. This report examines the potential benefits and challenges of this new approach.
May 3, 2013
Report
Using Pattern Analysis and Systematic Randomness to Allocate U.S. Border Security Resources
This report investigates how the Office of Border Patrol could employ pattern and trend analysis and systematic randomness to increase interdiction rates and mitigate smuggler adaptation.
Mar 27, 2012
Research Brief
Australia's Domestic Submarine Design Capabilities: Options for the Future Submarine
To design a new naval submarine domestically, Australia's industry and Government will need about 1,000 skilled draftsmen and engineers. Cultivating this workforce could take 15-20 years; partnering with foreign designers could expedite the process.
Dec 22, 2011
Report
Australia's Submarine Design Capabilities and Capacities: Challenges and Options for the Future Submarine
Assesses the domestic engineering and design skills that Australian industry and government will need to design a new submarine, identifies the skills they currently possess, and evaluates how best to fill any gaps between the two.
Dec 15, 2011
Report
Measuring the Effectiveness of Border Security Between Ports-of-Entry
Focusing on three missions -- illegal drug control, counterterrorism, and illegal migration -- this report recommends ways to measure performance of U.S. border-security efforts in terms of interdiction, deterrence, and exploiting networked intelligence.
Jun 23, 2010
Draft
Toward a Cognitive Analysis of Insider Threats: An Examination of User Password Choice
Applies behavioral decision theory to develop hypotheses about how users choose passwords, and uses those hypotheses to suggest novel ways to help users choose passwords that are both memorable and secure.
Jun 26, 2009