Shane Tierney

Technical Analyst

Pittsburgh Office

Education

M.S. in aerospace engineering, Penn State University; B.S. in aerospace engineering, Penn State University

One Page Bio

Overview

Shane Tierney (he/him) is a technical analyst at the RAND Corporation. He has worked with the RAND Arroyo Center, National Defense Research Institute, Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center and Project Air Force on a range of governmental and defense-related projects in such areas as force modernization, force structure analysis, industrial base analysis and data management.

Tierney received his BS and MS degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State University. His research while there was focused on autonomous rotorcraft control systems.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Datacentric Warfighting
Characterizing the Performance of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Universal Command and Control
Balancing Readiness and Modernization
Operational Support Aircraft Fleet Validation Support

Selected Publications

Dimarogonas, James, Jasmin Léveillé, Jan Osburg, Shane Tierney, Bonnie L. Triezenberg, Graham Andrews, Bryce Downing, Muharrem Mane, and Monica Rico, Universal Command and Control Language Early System Engineering: Performance Effects of a Universal Command and Control Standard, RAND Corporation (RR-A744-2), 2023

Wilson, Bradley, Shane Tierney, and Rachel M. Burns, Characterizing the Performance of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, RAND Corporation (RR-A1566-2), 2023

Wirth, Anna Jean, Thomas Light, Daniel M. Romano, Shane Tierney, Ronald G. McGarvey, Moon Kim, Michael J. Lostumbo, Amanda Nguyen, Paul Emslie, and John G. Drew, Evaluating Alternative Maintenance Manpower Force Structure Concepts for the F-35A, RAND Corporation (RR-4433-AF), 2020

Wilson, Bradley, Shane Tierney, Brendan Toland, Rachel M. Burns, Colby P. Steiner, Christopher Scott Adams, Michael Nixon, Raza Khan, Michelle D. Ziegler, Jan Osburg, and Ike Chang, Small Unmanned Aerial System Adversary Capabilities, RAND Corporation (RR-3023-DHS), 2020

Best, Katharina Ley, Jon Schmid, Shane Tierney, Jalal Awan, Nahom M. Beyene, Maynard A. Holliday, Raza Khan, and Karen Lee, How to Analyze the Cyber Threat from Drones: Background, Analysis Frameworks, and Analysis Tools, RAND Corporation (RR-2972-RC), 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

Tierney, Shane, Anthony D. Rosello, and Christopher G. Pernin, Worldwide C-17 Availability to Support 82nd Airborne Operations from Fort Bragg/Pope Field, RAND Corporation (RR-897-A), 2016

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

Honors & Awards

Impact Award, RAND NSRD
Impact Award, RAND PAF

Publications

Report
Universal Command and Control Language Early System Engineering: Performance Effects of a Universal Command and Control Standard
In a multiyear effort, RAND researchers analyzed the challenges of creating a universal command and control language to facilitate the evolution of systems and interoperability of systems-of-systems for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Feb 21, 2023
Report
Characterizing the Performance of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Analysts leveraged available data on performance of uncrewed aircraft system platforms to develop an approach to characterizing spray coverage as a function of payload, speed, endurance, and delivery and presenting performance parameters of interest.
Feb 6, 2023
Report
Evaluating Alternative Maintenance Manpower Force Structure Concepts for the F-35A
The authors of this report evaluate the costs and benefits of maintenance manpower force structures in the U.S. Air Force that merge maintenance career fields in different ways, including alternatives that are being explored by the Air Force today.
Sep 3, 2020
Report
Small Unmanned Aerial System Adversary Capabilities
To support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in prioritizing capability investments, this report examines trends in small unmanned aerial system development, features that could aid nefarious users, and how such actors could use these systems.
Mar 12, 2020
Report
How to Analyze the Cyber Threat from Drones: Background, Analysis Frameworks, and Analysis Tools
The authors explore approaches for understanding, inventorying, and modeling cybersecurity implications of unmanned aerial systems (drones), and examine the threats and trends around them -- specifically, current vulnerabilities and future trends.
Mar 5, 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
Worldwide C-17 Availability to Support 82nd Airborne Operations from Fort Bragg/Pope Field
This report explores C-17 availability and determines how quickly these aircraft and their aircrews can reach and depart from Fort Bragg/Pope Field, where the 82nd Airborne Division operates, from the many locations they are deployed to worldwide.
Aug 18, 2016
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
Data Flood: Helping the Navy Address the Rising Tide of Sensor Information
The authors explore options for solving the Navy's big data challenge, considering changes across four dimensions: people, tools and technology, data and data architectures, and demand and demand management.
May 1, 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
Modernizing the Mobility Air Force for Tomorrow's Air Traffic Management System
Building on RAND work examining the cost-effectiveness of modernizing the U.S. Air Force's KC-10 aerial refueling tanker to comply with airspace modernization mandates, this study extended the analysis to the C-5, C-17, C-130, and KC-135 fleets.
Dec 6, 2012
Report
Keeping a Competitive U.S. Military Aircraft Industry Aloft: Findings from an Analysis of the Industrial Base
Evaluates the near-term and long-term risks and costs of the United States having little or no competition among companies involved with designing, developing, and producing fixed-wing military aircraft and related systems.
Jan 16, 2012