Air Defense

commentary

Should Greenland and Denmark Become Part of NORAD?

As tensions with Russia rise to levels not seen since the Cold War, NORAD may need to detect and counter increasing numbers of aerial intrusions. One way to strengthen NORAD's capabilities: Invite Greenland and Denmark to join the command.

Michael Bohnert @mbohnert, Scott Savitz

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Russia Destroyed Grozny and Aleppo—Is Kyiv Next?

Russia used a brutal approach in Grozny and Aleppo, and may use a similar approach against Ukraine's cities. But it could be less effective or riskier in Ukraine. Ukraine's determination to resist is strong, and the West is supplying an impressive array of advanced weaponry and intelligence support.

Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh, et al.

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Why It Could Be a Strategic Mistake to Rule Out a No-Fly Zone Policy

The United States has been willing to entertain many forms of support to Ukraine, but senior administration and congressional leaders have categorically ruled out declaring a no-fly zone over the country. While American policymakers are rightfully hesitant to implement a no-fly zone policy, it could be a strategic mistake to say so in public.

Raphael S. Cohen

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Why China Is Intensifying Its Military Flights Against Taiwan

On January 23, China repeated its familiar pattern of sending warplanes into Taiwan's airspace. This activity, which has continued in February, rarely has a clear single driver. Instead, there are several factors that should always be considered.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Ukraine Needs Help Surviving Airstrikes, Not Just Killing Tanks

A Russian large-scale multidomain operation would be devastating for the Ukrainian military and people, and Ukraine should work to prevent that. But steps can also be taken to reduce the effects of the air and missile strikes that would likely lead off such an operation.

Dara Massicot @MassDara

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Drone-Era Warfare Shows the Operational Limits of Air Defense Systems

External powers have intervened in the civil wars in Libya and Syria, supplying advanced conventional weapons that have intensified the conflicts. But not all of the weapons have performed as claimed.

John V. Parachini @JohnParachini, Peter A. Wilson

blog

Preventing the Winter Blues, North Korea, Opioids: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on how to ward off the winter blues, Kim Jong Un's latest threat, how to spend opioid settlement funds, and more.

commentary

Hypersonic Missiles: A New Proliferation Challenge

Within 10 years, hypersonic missiles are likely to be deployed and offered on the international market. But there is time for action by states that do not want hypersonic missiles to flourish in their neighborhoods. It is time to move toward heading off this threat while it is still possible to do so.

Richard H. Speier

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China's Air Force Is Fixing Its Shortcomings

The prevailing view among Western observers is that Chinese fighter pilots lack the tactical mindset to engage and prevail in a dynamic, unscripted combat environment. But the PLAAF appears to have undertaken major reform in how it trains its pilots.

Lyle J. Morris

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How Do Chinese Surface-to-Air Missile Forces Train?

Surface-to-air missile (SAM) forces play a crucial role in Chinese military planning. Recent training activity indicates that PLAAF SAM units' operational readiness and capabilities may vary depending on their location and the time of year.

Cristina L. Garafola @CLGarafola

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Taiwan Forced to Rethink Its Air Defense Strategy

Taiwan's defense problem is challenging, but it will spend a considerable sum on air defense capabilities in the coming years, and those investments could be made much more effective.

Michael J. Lostumbo

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Armed Drone Myth 1: They Will Transform How War Is Waged Globally

Long-range military drones are fundamentally misunderstood. Their champions wrongly contend they are revolutionizing warfare, while critics fear their spread would greatly increase the threat that China, terrorists, and others pose.

Lynn E. Davis, Michael J. McNerney, et al.

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Advice for Defense Innovators

If the U.S. is to retain its status as the security partner of choice for many of the world's most important states, and help sustain peace and stability in regions critical to our own security, future U.S. forces must be far more capable.

David A. Ochmanek

commentary

Would U.S. Air Power Work in Iraq?

With the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) making significant gains over the past week, including advancing closer to Baghdad, U.S. President Barack Obama is reportedly considering whether to deploy U.S. air power to assist Iraq's armed forces. But what would such an intervention mean in practical terms? And how effective an option would it be?

Karl P. Mueller

blog

No Easy Way Out for China After 'Air Defense Zone' Ratchets Up Tensions

The ongoing row between China and Japan over a chain of islands in the East China Sea escalated sharply last week when Beijing declared an “air defense zone” over the disputed territory. If China's intention was to force Japan to the negotiating table, Beijing's plan appears to have backfired.

commentary

Thoughts on China's New Air Defense Zone Policy

In response to an inquiry from The Nelson Report, RAND's Scott Harold offered some thoughts on China's new air defense zone policy and how Japan and South Korea could be brought closer together by their respective responses.

Scott W. Harold

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Innovation and America's 21st Century Air Force

Lost in the US defense budget debates are deeper issues about the relationship between the military and American society. In many ways, these issues are especially stark for the Air Force. Can the US Air Force improve this connection?

Paula G. Thornhill

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U.S., China and an Unthinkable War

Although the China-U.S. agenda is jammed with pressing issues, time must be found to improve procedures and channels to defuse crises and avert military miscalculation. Political leaders should not wait for a crisis before scrutinizing war-fighting plans and insisting on ones that strengthen, not weaken, stability.

David C. Gompert, Terrence K. Kelly

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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.

Edward R. Harshberger

commentary

Terror's Aftermath: A Counterterrorism Policy for Yesterday's Threat

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Bruce Hoffman