Skip to page content

Toggle Menu Toggle Search

Search terms

Toggle Menu RAND National Security Research Division

Focus Areas
Research & Commentary
Programs & Initiatives
About
Work With Us

RAND
NSRD
Acquisition and Technology Policy Program
ATP Publications

ATP Publications

Error

Jul 21, 2026

The Men and Women of Project Firestar—How the United States Developed the Labor Force to Colonize Titan: A Backcasting Analysis of Labor Force Requirements for U.S. Technoeconomic Leadership Through 2050

The authors examine the changes necessary to produce a U.S. labor force sufficient to sustain technoeconomic leadership through 2050 while achieving a prestige technoeconomic marvel comparable to the successful manned mission to the moon in 1969.

Daniel Egel, K. MacKenzie Scott, Michael J. D. Vermeer
Jun 18, 2026

The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Approach to Maintenance Management: Cooking Dumplings in a Teapot

The authors of this report examine how the rapid growth and modernization of China’s navy inform maintenance management and activities. The authors also discuss factors that shape China’s ability to maintain and sustain its forces.

Cristina L. Garafola, Joslyn Fleming, Sam Wallace, Bradley Martin, Sale Lilly
Jun 10, 2026

Flagpole to Front Lines: A Warfighter-Driven Requirements Process

This report describes Flagpole to Front Lines, a strategies-to-tasks approach to linking national security objectives with operational requirements to ensure that the Department of War delivers systems to the field when and where they are needed.

Christopher A. Mouton, Hunter Stoll, Megan McKernan, Stephen M. Worman
May 13, 2026

Independent Assessment of the Defense Business Enterprise Architecture

The authors assess the effectiveness of the defense business enterprise architecture as a framework for planning, managing, and integrating defense business systems and its adequacy in informing business process reengineering.

Ryan Consaul, Sarah Zabel, Vanya Barrer, Christian Kim, Adrian Salas, Joshua Simulcik, Drake Warren
May 7, 2026

Optimizing Defense Requirements Cooperation Among the United States and Its Allies

In this paper, RAND researchers outline the benefits of defense requirements cooperation and analyze how these benefits may be optimized among the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia to enhance the effectiveness of combined forces.

Andrew Dowse, Daniel Marns, Austin Wyatt, Sachini Kadaoluwa, Megan McKernan, Stephen M. Worman, Lucia Retter
Apr 28, 2026

Evaluating Large Language Models' Abilities to Process and Understand Technical Policy Reports

The authors detail their development of a specialized benchmark for evaluating large language models' abilities to process and understand technical policy reports, thus addressing a gap in existing domain-specific evaluation.

Zara Fatima Abdurahaman, Prateek Puri, Mohammad Ahmadi, Edward Geist
Apr 24, 2026

Realizing the Promise of the Drone Revolution: Crosscutting Insights from RAND Research for the U.S. Department of War's Drone Dominance Efforts and Beyond

This paper highlights key technological and other trends driving the drone revolution in the military and civilian sectors. The authors outline obstacles and next steps that the U.S. Department of War can take to leverage these developments.

Jan Osburg, Emily Lathrop, James Ryseff, Matthew Fay, Will Shumate, M. Scott Bond
Mar 25, 2026

Integrating Innovation into U.S. Department of War Requirements Reform

In this report, the authors examine how innovation can be integrated into the U.S. Department of War requirements system and identify how lessons from defense innovation organizations can inform and improve how requirements are developed and matured.

Jim Mignano, Ryan Consaul, Megan McKernan, Stephen M. Worman, Heidi Peters, John Hoehn, Audrey F. Cisneros
Feb 24, 2026

Assessing the Practical Feasibility of the Clader-Jacobs-Sprouse Quantum Algorithm for Calculating Radar Cross Sections

The authors of this report examine the Clader-Jacobs-Sprouse quantum computing algorithm's potential practical utility for modeling a target's radar cross section.

Edward Parker, Nicholas A. O'Donoughue, Alvin Moon, Nicolas M. Robles
Feb 17, 2026

Export Controls on Artificial Intelligence and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems: Interagency Challenges

RAND researchers assessed how the United States might create an export control system that balances competition with China and secure proliferation of artificial intelligence and uncrewed aircraft systems.

Will Shumate, David Luckey, Timothy Marler, Monika Cooper, Christopher Scott Adams, Julia Arnold, Clay Strickland, Jacqueline Gardner Burns
Feb 12, 2026

AI Security Guide and Risk Assessment Tool

This guide is a practical, risk-based resource for those navigating the artificial intelligence (AI) security landscape. The guide addresses security of AI systems broadly, and the accompanying tool provides tailored recommendations for security controls.

Quentin E. Hodgson, Karen Schwindt, Prateek Puri, Nicholas Kong, David Zhang, Barbara Bicksler
Jan 20, 2026

Evaluating Digital Modernization: Enhancing Analytical and Decision Support in Department of Defense Acquisition Management

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is pursuing digital acquisition to leverage digital technologies and methodologies for enhanced acquisition outcomes. This report fulfills a congressional mandate to assess the state of DoD digital acquisition.

Brittany Clayton, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Luke Schlake
Jan 7, 2026

A Networked Leapfrog Strategy to Recapture Technology Leadership

Leapfrogging current-generation technologies to create entirely new paradigms may allow the United States to regain leadership in scientific and technological progress that is one of the foremost elements of the U.S.-China rivalry.

Michael J. Mazarr
Dec 30, 2025

Supply Chain Uncertainty and Responses: The Case of Ship Bromination Systems

The authors discuss where the supply chain for bromination systems might be vulnerable and identify solutions to potential disruptions. They also examine potentially analogous cases among commodities generated within the defense industrial base.

Bradley Martin, Stephen M. Worman, Marzia Giambertoni, Phoebe Felicia Pham, Camille Reeves, David A. Shlapak, Brett Zakheim
Oct 15, 2025

China's AI Exports Database (CAIED)

The China AI Exports Database (CAIED) tracks Chinese government-supported development finance projects that utilized or enabled Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the Global South between 2000 and 2017.

Jennifer Bouey, Lynn Hu, Keller Scholl, William Marcellino, Stacey Yi, Rafiq Dossani, James Gazis, Ammar A. Malik, Kyra Solomon, Sheng Zhang, Andy Shufer
Jul 22, 2025

Acquiring Generative Artificial Intelligence for U.S. Department of Defense Influence Activities

Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to improve U.S. Department of Defense influence activities in a number of ways, but it is a tool, not a panacea. Maximizing its potential will take dedicated effort and acquisition innovation.

William Marcellino, Jonathan Welch, Brittany Clayton, Stephen Webber, Thomas Goode
Jul 22, 2025

Acquiring Generative Artificial Intelligence to Improve U.S. Department of Defense Influence Activities

The authors review current U.S. Department of Defense generative artificial intelligence acquisition efforts (focusing on influence activities) and provide recommendations for cost-effective acquisition and development.

William Marcellino, Jonathan Welch, Brittany Clayton, Stephen Webber, Thomas Goode
Jun 23, 2025

Rising Tide: Designing a Game of International Economic Competition

This report documents the design of Rising Tide, a tabletop game designed by RAND gaming experts, that enables players to explore complex economic issues pertaining to the global economic system and international relationships.

David R. Frelinger, Jenny Oberholtzer, Stephen M. Worman, Kate Giglio
Jun 23, 2025

U.S.-China Economic Competition: Gains and Risks in a Complex Economic and Geopolitical Relationship

U.S.-China competition, including economic competition, has come to define U.S. foreign policy since 2017. This report, the first of a four-part series, includes economic and institutional analyses of U.S.-China economic competition.

Nadia Almasalkhi, Aaron B. Frank, C. Ben Gibson, Timothy R. Heath, Khrystyna Holynska, King Mallory, Steven W. Popper, Alexandra Stark, Tobias Sytsma, Noosha Uddin, Jessie Wang, Howard J. Shatz, Daniel Egel
Jun 23, 2025

Coupled Competition: A Prototype Game to Explore the U.S.-China Relationship

This report documents the design and testing of a game that explores the U.S.-China relationship and whether the relationship can be managed to prevent its competitive dimensions from overshadowing opportunities for mutual gain and security.

David A. Shlapak, Colin Levaunt, Gregory Smith
Jun 23, 2025

Build Thee More Stately Mansions: Participatory Foresight and the Mid-Century U.S. Economy

This report presents findings from workshops in which participants envisioned possible pathways for the United States economy in 2040 to meet domestic and national security needs in a future characterized by strategic competition with adversaries.

Steven W. Popper, Richard Silberglitt, Fabian Villalobos, Khrystyna Holynska, Krystyna Marcinek, Nadia Almasalkhi, Jack Lashendock
Apr 10, 2025

Why AI Projects Fail

Artificial intelligence (AI) projects fail at a much higher rate than information technology (IT) projects that do not involve AI. What are the root causes that lead to these failures—and what can be done to minimize them?

James Ryseff, Anu Narayanan
Apr 2, 2025

Defending American Interests Abroad: Early Detection of Foreign Malign Information Operations

This report describes the authors' efforts to use large language models to detect the use of classical propaganda techniques in hundreds of articles published by overseas media outlets.

Christopher A. Mouton, Caleb Lucas, Shaun Ee
Feb 26, 2025

Thinking Through Protracted War with China: Nine Scenarios

This report describes a set of scenarios through which the authors explore the hypothesis that U.S.-China competition plausibly could lead to wars that endure longer than envisioned by traditional force planning scenarios.

Joel B. Predd, Paul DeLuca, Scott Savitz, Edward Geist, Caitlin Lee
Feb 19, 2025

Harnessing 5G-Era Innovations: Preparations Allies Could Make to Defend Against Attack

Researchers propose innovative uses of fifth generation–ecosystem technologies with the potential to offer novel or dramatically improved military capabilities. Specifically, researchers sought new concepts to solve complex operational problems.

Timothy M. Bonds, Mary Lee, Nicholas A. O'Donoughue, Brandon F. De Bruhl, Sally Ayuk, Thomas Hamilton, Randall Steeb, Gary J. Briggs
Feb 3, 2025

Decarbonizing Aviation with Electrochemical Fuels: Challenges and Opportunities for Carbon Dioxide-Based Solutions for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Air Travel

This report describes barriers to large-scale development of electrochemical sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) using captured carbon dioxide. It offers recommendations for philanthropic organizations to support the long-term growth of the SAF market.

Kristin Van Abel, Aimee E. Curtright, Andrew Star, Zara Fatima Abdurahaman, David DeSmet, Sabahat Zafar
Jan 24, 2025

Underperforming Software and Information Technology in the Department of Defense

This report presents the results of an independent study on the performance of information technology and software-based systems in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the impact of that performance on DoD’s operations and mission readiness.

Bonnie L. Triezenberg, Sarah Zabel, Rachel Steratore, Adrian Salas, Ivan Lepetic, Katie A. Wilson, Natalia Henriquez Sanchez, James Fan, Alexis Levedahl, Sarah W. Denton
Dec 3, 2024

How Advanced Research Project Agencies Pick Their Programs: The Benefits and Limits of Goldilocks Problems

The authors explore how Advanced Research Projects Agencies approach problem selection and research risk and focus their resources on scientific, technical, and operational paradigm–changing research.

Aaron B. Frank, Ryan Andrew Brown
Sep 17, 2024

Technology Innovation, Economic Growth, and Geopolitics Policy Options for South Korea: A Policy Game

This report describes key insights from an analytical policy game that explored policy choices for South Korea regarding its role in the global semiconductor and electric vehicle battery supply chains in an environment of intensifying U.S.-China competition.

Yun Kang, David A. Shlapak, Seok Joon Kwon, Daniel Gonzales, Natalia Henriquez Sanchez, John J. Lee, Dong Ho Chung, Miyeon Oh, Bradley Martin, You Won Park, Christian Curriden
Aug 16, 2024

Reforming DoD's Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Process for a Competitive Future

Congress, the Department of Defense, and other key stakeholders are working on once-in-a-generation changes to the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution (PPBE) process. Leaders gathered at RAND to discuss their visions for PPBE reform.

Chuck Hagel, Bob Hale, Eric Fanning, Frank Kendall, William A. Laplante, Lara Sayer, Stephanie Young
Aug 13, 2024

The Root Causes of Failure for Artificial Intelligence Projects and How They Can Succeed: Avoiding the Anti-Patterns of AI

RAND researchers synthesized data scientists' and engineers' experiences in building artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning models to investigate why AI projects fail and offer recommendations to make AI projects more likely to succeed.

James Ryseff, Brandon F. De Bruhl, Sydne J. Newberry
Jul 8, 2024

Resourcing Defense Cooperation in Europe Amidst Russia's War in Ukraine: Implications of Reforms to Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Processes for Multinational Collaboration

The authors examine how allied planning, programming, budgeting, and execution–like mechanisms enable or hinder collaboration across the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization amid a deteriorating threat environment.

James Black, Stuart Dee, Megan McKernan, Stephanie Young, Nicolas Jouan, Maxime Sommerfeld Antoniou, Clara Le Gargasson, Linda Slapakova, Theodora Ogden, Erik Silfversten, Mattias Eken, Charlotte Kleberg, John P. Godges
Jul 2, 2024

Risk Assessment of Reinforcement Learning AI Systems: Looking Beyond the Technology

This report presents some of the challenges that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) may face in fielding an artificial intelligence technology called reinforcement learning — which expands the decisionmaking ability of machines — in DoD applications.

Kyle Bunch, Alexander C. Hou, Ryan Haberman, Marissa Herron, Anthony Jacques, Gary J. Briggs
Jun 27, 2024

AUKUS Collaboration Throughout the Capability Life Cycle: Implications for Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Processes

This paper addresses the implications of stronger allied cooperation for the reform of both the U.S. Department of Defense’s planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes and comparative processes of AUKUS security partnership members.

Andrew Dowse, Megan McKernan, James Black, Stephanie Young, Austin Wyatt, John P. Godges, Nicolas Jouan, Joanne Nicholson
May 28, 2024

Net Technical Assessment: A Methodology for Assessing Military Technology Competition

RAND researchers developed a net technical assessment methodology for a given technology area designed to characterize the technical state of the art, measure relative national standing, and identify and assess technology applications.

Jon Schmid, Chad J. R. Ohlandt, Shawn Cochran
May 8, 2024

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution in Comparative Organizations: Volume 6, Additional Case Studies of Selected Non-DoD Federal Agencies

This report adds two case studies of planning, programming, budgeting, and execution (PPBE) functions to those of other U.S. federal government agencies in Volume 3, offering insights for improving the U.S. Department of Defense's PPBE processes.

Stephanie Young, Megan McKernan, Ryan Consaul, Laurinda L. Rohn, Frank G. Klotz, Michael Simpson, Sarah W. Denton, Yuliya Shokh, Madison Williams, Raphael S. Cohen, John P. Godges, Heidi Peters, Lauren Skrabala
May 8, 2024

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution in Comparative Organizations: Volume 7, Executive Summary for Additional Case Studies

This executive summary distills key insights from seven case studies of budgeting processes across comparative organizations, as detailed in two companion volumes, and compiles findings from all 16 case studies in the series.

Stephanie Young, Megan McKernan, Andrew Dowse, Nicolas Jouan, Theodora Ogden, Austin Wyatt, Mattias Eken, Linda Slapakova, Naoko Aoki, Ryan Consaul, Laurinda L. Rohn, Frank G. Klotz, Michael Simpson, Jade Yeung, Sarah W. Denton, Yuliya Shokh, Clara Le Gargasson, Charlotte Kleberg, Phoebe Felicia Pham, Madison Williams, Erik Silfversten, James Black, Turner Ruggi, Maxime Sommerfeld Antoniou, Raphael S. Cohen, John P. Godges, Heidi Peters, Lauren Skrabala
May 8, 2024

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution in Comparative Organizations: Volume 5, Additional Case Studies of Selected Allied and Partner Nations

In this report — Volume 5 in a seven-volume set of case studies of planning, programming, budgeting, and execution functions — RAND researchers analyze the defense budgeting processes of France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and Sweden.

Stephanie Young, Megan McKernan, Andrew Dowse, Nicolas Jouan, Theodora Ogden, Austin Wyatt, Mattias Eken, Linda Slapakova, Naoko Aoki, Clara Le Gargasson, Charlotte Kleberg, Maxime Sommerfeld Antoniou, Phoebe Felicia Pham, Jade Yeung, Turner Ruggi, Erik Silfversten, James Black, Raphael S. Cohen, John P. Godges, Heidi Peters, Lauren Skrabala
Apr 24, 2024

Measuring China's Science and Technology Progress: A Framework for Assessing Advances Affecting Military Capability

The authors developed a top-down, analytic framework of scientific and technological progress that accounts for China's leadership’s strategic aspirations, military missions, and new or improved capabilities, and results in a graphical dashboard.

David A. Shlapak, Chad J. R. Ohlandt, Jon Schmid
Mar 14, 2024

The Future of Indo-Pacific Information Warfare: Challenges and Prospects from the Rise of AI

The authors address the timely issue of AI-powered information warfare in the Indo-Pacific region and its implications for regional and global security, delving into the appropriate strategies required for an effective response.

Russell Hanson, Adam R. Grissom, Christopher A. Mouton
Mar 13, 2024

A Framework for Assessing the Costs and Benefits of Digital Engineering: A Systems Approach

This report shares efforts to develop decision support frameworks for assessing the costs and benefits of digital engineering in defense weapon system programs.

N. Peter Whitehead, Thomas Light, Adrian Luna, Jim Mignano
Feb 26, 2024

The Karzas-Latter-Seiler Model of a High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse: A New Numerical Code for an Old Model

This paper accompanies the release of a new software implementation of an approximation of the Karzas-Latter model due to Seiler.

Gavin S. Hartnett
Jan 25, 2024

The Operational Risks of AI in Large-Scale Biological Attacks: Results of a Red-Team Study

In this report, the authors share final results of a study of potential risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of biological weapon attacks. The findings indicate that AI did not measurably change the operational risk of such an attack.

Christopher A. Mouton, Caleb Lucas, Ella Guest
Jan 23, 2024

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution in Comparative Organizations: Volume 1, Case Studies of China and Russia

In this first volume of four reports examining nine case studies of budgeting processes across comparative organizations, RAND Corporation researchers conduct case studies of the defense budgeting processes of China and Russia.

Megan McKernan, Stephanie Young, Timothy R. Heath, Dara Massicot, Mark Stalczynski, Ivana Ke, Raphael S. Cohen, John P. Godges, Heidi Peters, Lauren Skrabala
Jan 23, 2024

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution in Comparative Organizations: Volume 2, Case Studies of Selected Allied and Partner Nations

In this second volume of four reports examining nine case studies of defense budgeting processes across comparative organizations, RAND researchers conducted case studies of the budgeting processes of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Megan McKernan, Stephanie Young, Andrew Dowse, James Black, Devon Hill, Benjamin J. Sacks, Austin Wyatt, Nicolas Jouan, Yuliya Shokh, Jade Yeung, Raphael S. Cohen, John P. Godges, Heidi Peters, Lauren Skrabala
Jan 23, 2024

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution in Comparative Organizations: Volume 3, Case Studies of Selected Non-DoD Federal Agencies

This report, part of a four-volume set, presents case studies of planning, programming, budgeting, and execution (PPBE) functions in four federal agencies comparable to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to help improve DoD's PPBE processes.

Megan McKernan, Stephanie Young, Ryan Consaul, Michael Simpson, Sarah W. Denton, Anthony Vassalo, William Shelton, Devon Hill, Raphael S. Cohen, John P. Godges, Heidi Peters, Lauren Skrabala
Jan 23, 2024

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution in Comparative Organizations: Volume 4, Executive Summary

This executive summary distills key insights from nine case studies of budgeting processes across comparative organizations, as detailed in three companion volumes.

Megan McKernan, Stephanie Young, Timothy R. Heath, Dara Massicot, Andrew Dowse, Devon Hill, James Black, Ryan Consaul, Michael Simpson, Sarah W. Denton, Anthony Vassalo, Ivana Ke, Mark Stalczynski, Benjamin J. Sacks, Austin Wyatt, Jade Yeung, Nicolas Jouan, Yuliya Shokh, William Shelton, Raphael S. Cohen, John P. Godges, Heidi Peters, Lauren Skrabala
Jan 2, 2024

Comparative Analysis of U.S. and PRC Efforts to Advance Critical Military Technology: Volume 1, Analytic Approach for Conducting Comparative Technology Assessments

This report outlines a methodology for comparatively assessing the capacity, progress, and impact of critical military technologies under development in the United States and the People’s Republic of China.

Sarah Harting, Daniel Gonzales, Michael J. Mazarr, Jon Schmid
Jan 2, 2024

Plagues, Cyborgs, and Supersoldiers: The Human Domain of War

Advancements in biotechnology have renewed questions about how biotechnologies might be used in battle. The authors of this report explore how these technologies can affect the human body, and how the human body can become a warfighting domain.

Luke J. Matthews, Mary Lee, Brandon F. De Bruhl, Daniel Elinoff, Christopher A. Eusebi
Dec 14, 2023

Kicking the Tires? The People's Liberation Army's Approach to Maintenance Management

The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) ability to project and sustain power relies on its logistics capabilities. The authors examine the PLA’s approach to maintenance to inform a broader understanding of PLA plans to operate and sustain its forces.

Joslyn Fleming, Cristina L. Garafola, Elisa Yoshiara, Sale Lilly, Alexis Dale-Huang
Dec 11, 2023

China's AI Exports: Technology Distribution and Data Safety

The authors analyze a new project finance dataset on China's development-funded artificial intelligence (AI) export projects — adding interview-based country case studies — to better understand China's AI exports and their impact on developing countries.

Jennifer Bouey, Lynn Hu, Keller Scholl, William Marcellino, Rafiq Dossani, Ammar A. Malik, Kyra Solomon, Sheng Zhang, Andy Shufer
Dec 11, 2023

China's AI Exports: Developing a Tool to Track Chinese Development Finance in the Global South — Technical Documentation

This report is the technical documentation for a tool that tracks Chinese government–supported development finance projects that used or enabled artificial intelligence technology in the Global South between 2000 and 2017.

Jennifer Bouey, Lynn Hu, Keller Scholl, William Marcellino, James Gazis, Ammar A. Malik, Kyra Solomon, Sheng Zhang, Andy Shufer
Nov 16, 2023

An Assessment of U.S.-Allied Nations' Industrial Bases in Quantum Technology

The authors assess the quantum industrial bases of several U.S.-allied nations that are major players in the development of quantum technology, beginning with a global look and then focusing on Australia, the UK, Germany, and Japan.

Edward Parker, Richard Silberglitt, Daniel Gonzales, Natalia Henriquez Sanchez, Justin W. Lee, Lindsay Rand, Jon Schmid, Peter Dortmans, Christopher A. Eusebi
Nov 14, 2023

Select Space Concepts for the New Space Era

In this Perspective, space researchers at the RAND Corporation identify space sustainability, security, and governance concepts that they believe are worthy of future research.

Bruce McClintock, Dan McCormick, Katie Feistel, Ajay K. Kochhar, Mary Lee, Douglas C. Ligor, Jan Osburg, Henri van Soest, Emmi Yonekura
Oct 30, 2023

Alternative Futures for Digital Infrastructure: Insights and Considerations for the Department of Defense

This report summarizes an alternative futures analysis of how the global digital infrastructure could evolve out to 2050 and the military implications of those futures for the United States and China.

Julia Brackup, Sarah Harting, Daniel Gonzales, Brandon Corbin
Oct 19, 2023

Incorporating Environmental Considerations into Defense Acquisition Practices

RAND researchers assess the knowledge, tools, and capabilities needed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition workforce to infuse environmental considerations into DoD requirements, acquisition, and resource allocation decisionmaking.

Jeffrey A. Drezner, Megan McKernan, Gabriel Leonard, Gwen Mazzotta, Shane Manuel, Susan A. Resetar, Sydne J. Newberry
Aug 17, 2023

A Brief Overview of Emerging Vaccine Technologies for Pandemic Preparedness

This report characterizes trends and strategic implications associated with pandemic preparedness in the United States, China, and Russia, focusing on vaccine technologies, broad-spectrum medical countermeasures, and immunization facilitation.

Annette Prieto, Robert Huang, Christopher A. Eusebi, Melissa Shostak
Jul 25, 2023

Not the X-Files: Mapping Public Reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Across America

This report provides findings on U.S. locations where unidentified aerial phenomena are being reported to increase awareness about the types of activities that might be mistaken for unexplained phenomena or that point to potential threats.

Marek N. Posard, Ashley Gromis, Mary Lee
Jul 11, 2023

Russian Logistics and Sustainment Failures in the Ukraine Conflict: Status as of January 1, 2023

The Russian military's battlefield performance has not lived up to expectations since its invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. The authors examine the issues of logistics and sustainment facing Russia's forces throughout its campaign against Ukraine.

Bradley Martin, D. Sean Barnett, Devin McCarthy
Jul 6, 2023

Keeping the World Close: How Taiwan Can Maintain Contact with Allies, Supporters, and Its Own People If Attacked

In this Perspective, the author discusses the vulnerabilities of Taiwan's information networks and proposes actions that Taiwan should take to mitigate lost capabilities if attacked by China.

Timothy M. Bonds
Jul 5, 2023

Australia's Sovereign Capability in Military Weapons

The authors of this Perspective discuss the objectives of Australia's Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise and examine options to achieve these objectives.

Andrew Dowse, Marigold Black, John P. Godges, Caleb Lucas, Christopher A. Mouton
Jun 22, 2023

Exploring Differences in Organizational Culture Within the Department of Defense

The authors of this report analyzed the organizational culture of communities within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to understand how the current culture could be characterized and how DoD's culture varies within the department.

James Ryseff, Jonathan Welch, Lewis Schneider
Jun 15, 2023

Scientific and Technological Flows Between the United States and China

The objective of this report is to quantify and describe three types of scientific and technological flows between the United States and China to help assess the net effect of these types of flows on U.S. national security.

Jon Schmid, Nathaniel Edenfield
Apr 28, 2023

How Can DoD Compare Damage Costs Against Resilience Investment Costs for Climate-Driven Natural Hazards? Overview of an Analytic Approach, Its Advantages, and Its Limitations

This report assesses methods to compare the damage costs from climate change-related extreme weather events against the costs of investing in U.S. Department of Defense installation resilience.

Anu Narayanan, Patrick Mills, Tobias Sytsma, Kelly Klima, Rahim Ali
Apr 26, 2023

Characterizing the Uncrewed Systems Industrial Base

The Department of Defense has hypothesized that future demand for uncrewed systems (UxS) will strain the capacity of the defense industrial base (DIB). This report contains an analysis of UxS demand and recommendations on strengthening the DIB.

Bradley Wilson, Ellen M. Pint, Elizabeth Hastings Roer, Emily Higgs, Fabian Villalobos, Mark Stalczynski, Jonathan L. Brosmer, Annie Brothers, Elliott Grant
Apr 19, 2023

Network Logistics Games: Design and Implementation

This report details a logistics game design that is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of scenarios, objectives, and modifications.

Sydney Litterer, Jennifer Brookes, Stephen M. Worman, David A. Shlapak
Mar 23, 2023

Opportunities and Risks of 5G Military Use in Europe

The authors consider U.S. military uses of the fifth-generation technology standard for cellular communications in a notional 2030 time frame, concentrating on a future smart logistics mission in the Baltics and surrounding countries.

Mary Lee, James Dimarogonas, Edward Geist, Shane Manuel, Ryan A. Schwankhart, Bryce Downing
Mar 7, 2023

Fostering Innovation in Military Technology: Strengthening DoD's Commercial Technology Pipeline

RAND researchers examined how well the Department of Defense is identifying, developing, and transitioning innovative commercial technologies from the private sector to the military and how the defense ecosystem can better support this process.

Brodi Kotila, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Elizabeth M. Bartels, Devon Hill, Quentin E. Hodgson, Shreya S. Huilgol, Shane Manuel, Michael Simpson, Jonathan P. Wong
Mar 7, 2023

Strengthening the Defense Innovation Ecosystem

The Department of Defense can more effectively harness commercially developed technologies through policies that incentivize and improve coordination and collaboration between defense innovation organizations and traditional acquisition stakeholders.

Brodi Kotila, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Elizabeth M. Bartels, Devon Hill, Quentin E. Hodgson, Shreya S. Huilgol, Shane Manuel, Michael Simpson, Jonathan P. Wong
Feb 22, 2023

Promoting Strong International Collaboration in Quantum Technology Research and Development

The author discusses (1) the strategic importance of (and challenges of) strong research collaboration with U.S. allied and partner nations and (2) five key policy areas in this space. He also proposes a desired end state for this cooperation.

Edward Parker
Feb 21, 2023

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.

James Dimarogonas, Jasmin Léveillé, Jan Osburg, Shane Tierney, Bonnie L. Triezenberg, Graham Andrews, Bryce Downing, Muharrem Mane, Monica Rico
Jan 31, 2023

The Technology Promotion and Protection Decision Tool: Introduction and User Manual

The authors of this report describe a tool designed to help U.S. Department of Defense decisionmakers select from the many available approaches to promote and protect critical technologies and their associated industrial base.

Christy Foran, Lauren A. Mayer, Jim Mignano, Anthony Lawrence, Mark V. Arena, Cortney Weinbaum, Shane Manuel, Elizabeth Hastings Roer, Keller Scholl, Richard Silberglitt, N. Peter Whitehead
Jan 25, 2023

Cross-Domain Lessons for Space Traffic Management: An Analysis of Air and Maritime Treaty Governance Mechanisms

In this report, the authors examine the treaty-based governance systems from both the air and maritime domains as potential models for the development of an international space traffic management system.

Dan McCormick, Douglas C. Ligor, Bruce McClintock
Jan 25, 2023

First Mover Typology for the Space Domain: Building a Foundation for Future Analysis

The authors offer a categorization and nuanced views of first moves in military strategy as a basis for understanding and further analysis of first mover advantage in the space domain.

Bruce McClintock, Krista Langeland, Michael Spirtas
Jan 23, 2023

International Basic Research Collaboration at the U.S. Department of Defense: An Overview

RAND National Defense Research Institute researchers studied how the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) approaches international basic research collaboration (IBRC) and formulated suggestions for DoD to improve how it uses IBRC.

Alison K. Hottes, Marjory S. Blumenthal, Jared Mondschein, Matthew Sargent, Caroline Wesson
Dec 15, 2022

Time for Resilient Critical Material Supply Chain Policies

This report is an exploratory analysis summarizing the state of two critical material supply chains and options for the U.S. Department of Defense to prevent or mitigate supply disruptions affecting the defense industrial base and national security.

Fabian Villalobos, Jonathan L. Brosmer, Richard Silberglitt, Justin M. Lee, Aimee E. Curtright
Dec 12, 2022

Operational Feasibility of Adversarial Attacks Against Artificial Intelligence

Some fear that the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD's) artificial intelligence systems are in peril from adversarial attacks. But many attacks appear operationally infeasible, so they pose less risk to DoD applications than the literature implies.

Li Ang Zhang, Gavin S. Hartnett, Jair Aguirre, Andrew J. Lohn, Inez Khan, Marissa Herron, Caolionn O'Connell
Oct 18, 2022

Modeling and Measuring the Effects of Economic Shocks on a Defense Industrial Base

The purpose of this report is to assist Department of Defense decisionmakers called upon to respond to adverse economic shocks by identifying opportunities for improving analysis of shocks and their effects on U.S. defense postures.

Elizabeth Hastings Roer, Brent Thomas, Grant Johnson, Sean McKenna, Nathaniel Edenfield, Chad J. R. Ohlandt
Oct 5, 2022

Using Metrics to Understand the Performance of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework

The authors of this report identify initial metrics that the U.S. Department of Defense can use to assess whether pathways in the Adaptive Acquisition Framework are achieving their goals.

Megan McKernan, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Mark V. Arena, Jonathan P. Wong, Yuliya Shokh, Austin Lewis, Nancy Young Moore, Judith D. Mele, Sydne J. Newberry
Sep 27, 2022

Digital Infrastructure and Digital Presence: A Framework for Assessing the Impact on Future Military Competition and Conflict

Digital infrastructure has emerged as an area of competition between the United States and China. This report examines this competition and describes the implications for long-term military competition and conflict.

Julia Brackup, Sarah Harting, Daniel Gonzales
Aug 16, 2022

An Exploratory Examination of Agent-Based Modeling for the Study of Social Movements

The authors of this report explore the use of agent-based modeling as a method for studying the effects of information and communications technologies on the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of social movements over time.

Aaron B. Frank, Marek N. Posard, Todd C. Helmus, Krystyna Marcinek, Justin Grana, Omair Khan, Rushil Zutshi
Jul 13, 2022

Adaptive Engagement for Undergoverned Spaces: Concepts, Challenges, and Prospects for New Approaches

This report is a compendium of expert insights regarding opportunities for investing in science and technology to increase U.S. ability to engage in long-term competition in undergoverned spaces.

Aaron B. Frank, Elizabeth M. Bartels, Aaron B. Frank, Elizabeth M. Bartels, Adam R. Grissom, Jonathan S. Blake, Gabrielle Tarini, Kelly Elizabeth Eusebi, Joseph N. Mait, Elisa Jayne Bienenstock, Andrew M. Parker, Steven W. Popper, Paul K. Davis, Edward Geist, Ben Connable, Zev Winkelman, Robert L. Axtell, Justin Grana, Robert J. Lempert, Kelly Klima, Sara Turner, James R. Watson, Michael J. Gaines, Yuna Huh Wong, Jasmin Léveillé, Timothy Marler
Jun 13, 2022

Is the National Nuclear Enterprise Workforce Postured to Modernize the Triad? Insights and Options from a Quick-turn Assessment

This report presents the results of a quick-turn, 90-day assessment of the health of the national nuclear enterprise workforce, with a specific focus on federal personnel in the acquisition and the science, technology, engineering, and math fields.

Laura Werber, Frank G. Klotz, Brian Phillips, Noah Johnson, Lucas Greer, Brittany Clayton, Mark V. Arena, Chaitra M. Hardison
Jun 10, 2022

The Role of Communication and Network Technologies in the Dynamics of Social Movements

Investigates the multi-faceted role of information technologies in the spread and dynamics of social movements.

Krystyna Marcinek, Rushil Zutshi, Omair Khan, Justin Grana, Marek N. Posard, Todd C. Helmus, Aaron B. Frank
Jun 9, 2022

Comparing the Organizational Cultures of the Department of Defense and Silicon Valley

This report describes the organizational cultures of the Department of Defense and Silicon Valley to determine where they have differences and common ground for stronger collaboration to bridge the civil-military divide on artificial intelligence.

Nathan Voss, James Ryseff
May 11, 2022

Exploring the Civil-Military Divide over Artificial Intelligence

This report presents the results of a survey of software engineers and other technical staff to learn their views toward the defense community and their willingness to contribute to artificial intelligence projects for the U.S. Department of Defense.

James Ryseff, Eric Landree, Noah Johnson, Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar, Max Izenberg, Sydne J. Newberry, Christopher Ferris, Melissa A. Bradley
Mar 21, 2022

Establishing a Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise for Australia: International and Domestic Lessons Learned

The authors describe the relevance of five international case studies in relation to Australia's creation of a Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise, identified as a key priority by the government in its 2020 Defence Strategic Update.

Christopher A. Mouton, Carl Rhodes, Mark V. Arena, Paul DeLuca, Andrew Dowse, John P. Godges, Adam R. Grissom, Caleb Lucas, Erik Silfversten
Mar 2, 2022

The Role of Standards in Fostering Capability Evolution: Does Design Matter? Insights from Interoperability Standards

This report presents the findings of a review of two military standards that have enabled significant interoperability and evolution in warfighting to better understand paths toward successful interface standard design in the military environment.

Jon Schmid, Bonnie L. Triezenberg, James Dimarogonas, Samuel Absher
Feb 28, 2022

Securing the Microelectronics Supply Chain: Four Policy Issues for the U.S. Department of Defense to Consider

The authors analyze how the U.S. Department of Defense could mitigate microelectronics supply chain risk. They consider the appropriate mix of policy levers to promote a microelectronics technology ecosystem that is aligned with U.S. strategic goals.

Jared Mondschein, Jonathan W. Welburn, Daniel Gonzales
Feb 11, 2022

Assessing Systemic Strengths and Vulnerabilities of China's Defense Industrial Base

This brief presents an assessment of the strengths and vulnerabilities of China's defense industrial base (DIB), using a methodology that could be applied to assess any country's DIB.

Cortney Weinbaum, Caolionn O'Connell, Steven W. Popper, M. Scott Bond, Hannah Jane Byrne, Christian Curriden, Gregory Weider Fauerbach, Sale Lilly, Jared Mondschein, Jon Schmid
Feb 11, 2022

Assessing Systemic Strengths and Vulnerabilities of China's Defense Industrial Base: With a Repeatable Methodology for Other Countries

The authors assess the strengths and vulnerabilities of China's defense industrial base (DIB) by designing and applying a comparative analytic structure that could be used to assess any country's DIB.

Cortney Weinbaum, Caolionn O'Connell, Steven W. Popper, M. Scott Bond, Hannah Jane Byrne, Christian Curriden, Gregory Weider Fauerbach, Sale Lilly, Jared Mondschein, Jon Schmid
Feb 2, 2022

An Assessment of the U.S. and Chinese Industrial Bases in Quantum Technology

This report presents a flexible and repeatable set of metrics for assessing a nation's industrial base in quantum technology, and applies those metrics to the U.S. and Chinese quantum industrial bases.

Edward Parker, Daniel Gonzales, Ajay K. Kochhar, Sydney Litterer, Kathryn O'Connor, Jon Schmid, Keller Scholl, Richard Silberglitt, Joan Chang, Christopher A. Eusebi, Scott W. Harold
Dec 21, 2021

Keeping the Defense Industrial Base Afloat During COVID-19: A Review of Department of Defense and Federal Government Policies and Investments in the Defense Industrial Base

Concerns about the financial solvency of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) during the pandemic prompted the U.S. government to make policy changes to support the DIB. The authors summarize investments in the DIB made during the pandemic.

Anna Jean Wirth, Sydney Litterer, Elvira N. Loredo, Laura H. Baldwin, Ricardo Radaelli-Sanchez
Dec 16, 2021

Implementing Variable Cost Pricing in the Transportation Working Capital Fund

In this companion report, researchers identify next steps toward implementing variable cost pricing for selected business lines funded by the Transportation Working Capital Fund.

Michael Vasseur, Ellen M. Pint, Laura H. Baldwin, Max Steiner, Liam Regan, Liam McLane
Oct 14, 2021

A Structured Elicitation Approach to Identify Technology-Based Challenges: With Application to Inform Force Planning for Technological Surprise

What do experts envision as the largest technology-based challenges the U.S. Joint Force may encounter by 2040? The authors develop and implement an approach to elicit and evaluate 20 challenges identified by experts.

Lauren A. Mayer, Jon Schmid, Sydney Litterer, Marjory S. Blumenthal
Sep 20, 2021

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.

Joel B. Predd, Irv Blickstein, John Birkler, David A. Ochmanek, Chad J. R. Ohlandt
Aug 9, 2021

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.

Joel B. Predd, Jon Schmid, Elizabeth M. Bartels, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Bradley Wilson, Anna Jean Wirth, Liam McLane
Jul 28, 2021

Natural Language Processing: Security- and Defense-Related Lessons Learned

This reference document presents a collection of lessons learned by practitioners from RAND Corporation defense and security projects that employed natural language processing tools and methods.

Peter Schirmer, Amber Jaycocks, Sean Mann, William Marcellino, Luke J. Matthews, John David Parsons, David Schulker
Jul 26, 2021

The Future of Combat Casualty Care: Is the Military Health System Ready?

The Military Health System will need to implement a portfolio of mitigation strategies to ensure an agile, resilient, and global network of capabilities and a robust industrial supply base to effectively treat combat casualties in future conflicts.

Brent Thomas
Mar 25, 2021

Independent Evaluation of the Transportation Working Capital Fund: Assessment and Recommendations to Improve Effectiveness and Efficiency

The authors assess the financial viability and current structure of the Transportation Working Capital Fund, which funds U.S. Transportation Command operations, and recommend ways to restructure the fund to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.

Michael Vasseur, Ellen M. Pint, Laura H. Baldwin, Maria McCollester, Max Steiner, Liam Regan, Liam McLane
Feb 23, 2021

Comparing the Cost-Effectiveness of Expendable Versus Reusable Small Air Vehicles

RAND Corporation researchers reviewed the comparative cost-effectiveness of reusable and expendable platforms for small unmanned aerial vehicles. The findings show that current technology often makes reusable platforms relatively inexpensive.

Thomas Hamilton
Feb 18, 2021

Equipping the 21st Century Marine Corps: Alternative Equipping Strategies for Task-Organized Units

Provisional unit equipping differs from the traditional way the Marine Corps equips forces, which places a burden on the logistics enterprise. The totality of the problem demands a multipronged approach as the best course of action.

Joslyn Fleming, Jonathan P. Wong, Matthew W. Lewis, Duncan Long, Angelena Bohman, Kathryn Connor, Rick Eden, Michael J. Gaines
Jan 26, 2021

The Department of Defense's Posture for Artificial Intelligence: Assessment and Recommendations for Improvement

In this report, RAND Corporation researchers assess the state of artificial intelligence relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense and provide recommendations for the future of the department's artificial intelligence posture.

Danielle C. Tarraf, William Shelton, Edward Parker, Brien Alkire, Diana Gehlhaus, Justin Grana, Alexis Levedahl, Jasmin Léveillé, Jared Mondschein, James Ryseff, Ali Wyne, Daniel Elinoff, Edward Geist, Benjamin N. Harris, Eric Hui, Cedric Kenney, Sydne J. Newberry, Chandler Sachs, Peter Schirmer, Danielle Schlang, Victoria M. Smith, Abbie Tingstad, Padmaja Vedula, Kristin Warren
Jan 25, 2021

Seizures of Western Diplomatic Facilities: Historical Timelines, 1979–2019

To help develop effective response capabilities, the authors review attacks on Western diplomatic facilities since 1979, focusing on the duration of each attack and how much advance warning there was of the attack.

Jacqueline Gardner Burns, Christopher A. Mouton, Adam R. Grissom, John P. Godges
Jan 5, 2021

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.

Nicholas A. O'Donoughue, Samantha McBirney, Brian Persons
Jan 5, 2021

Modeling Rapidly Composable, Heterogeneous, and Fractionated Forces: Findings on Mosaic Warfare from an Agent-Based Model

Mosaic warfare is named for the idea of creating a complex image from small pieces. This report studies Mosaic warfare and explores complexity of platforms, complexity of targets, and relative density of platforms and targets.

Timothy R. Gulden, Jonathan Lamb, Jeff Hagen, Nicholas A. O'Donoughue
Jan 5, 2021

Findings on Mosaic Warfare from a Colonel Blotto Game

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is investigating a concept of war known as Mosaic warfare, after the analogy of creating a complex image from many small pieces. The authors study Mosaic warfare through the use of a Colonel Blotto game.

Justin Grana, Jonathan Lamb, Nicholas A. O'Donoughue
Dec 29, 2020

An Experiment in Tactical Wargaming with Platforms Enabled by Artificial Intelligence

RAND researchers explored the capabilities and limitations of future artificial intelligence and machine learning weapon systems in two wargame experiments that brought together operators and engineers.

Danielle C. Tarraf, J. Michael Gilmore, D. Sean Barnett, Scott Boston, David R. Frelinger, Daniel Gonzales, Alexander C. Hou, N. Peter Whitehead
Dec 24, 2020

The Composition and Employment of Software Personnel in the U.S. Department of Defense: An Initial Analysis

The authors identify and characterize a subset of the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD's) software workforce, the types of software developed within DoD, and the variety of methods DoD programs use when employing that workforce to develop software.

Bonnie L. Triezenberg, Jason M. Ward, Jonathan Cham, Devon Hill, Sean Robson, Jeff Fourman
Dec 3, 2020

China's Propensity for Innovation in the 21st Century: Identifying Indicators of Future Outcomes

In this report, the authors describe what information would be needed to better understand China's innovation trajectory in the coming decades. They examine the propensity in China's innovation system to realize its potential as an innovating nation.

Steven W. Popper, Marjory S. Blumenthal, Eugeniu Han, Sale Lilly, Lyle J. Morris, Caroline S. Wagner, Christopher A. Eusebi, Brian G. Carlson, Alice Shih
Sep 22, 2020

COVID-19 Air Traffic Visualization: Worldwide Spread of COVID-19 Accelerated Starting on February 19, 2020

In this report—part of a series on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—the researchers estimate when COVID-19 transmission via commercial air travel began to rapidly accelerate throughout the world.

Christopher A. Mouton, Adam R. Grissom, John P. Godges, Russell Hanson
Sep 22, 2020

COVID-19 Air Traffic Visualization: African Anchor States Face Higher Risk of Importing COVID-19 Cases

In this report—part of a series on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—the researchers quantify the potential vectors of transmission to countries in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

Adam R. Grissom, Christopher A. Mouton, John P. Godges, Russell Hanson
Jun 5, 2020

COVID-19 Air Traffic Visualization: A New Tool Helps Analyze Commercial Air Travel Involving Infected Passengers

In this report—the first in a series on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—the researchers introduce a new tool to visualize how COVID-19 infections and commercial air travel have interacted to export infection risk across the world.

Russell Hanson, Christopher A. Mouton, Adam R. Grissom, John P. Godges
Jun 5, 2020

COVID-19 Air Traffic Visualization: By January 31, 2020, at Least 1.5 Daily Infected Passengers Were Originating in China

In this report—part of a series on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—the researchers estimate the daily rate of COVID-19 transmission via air travel from China.

Christopher A. Mouton, Russell Hanson, Adam R. Grissom, John P. Godges
Jun 5, 2020

COVID-19 Air Traffic Visualization: COVID-19 Cases in China Were Likely 37 Times Higher Than Reported in January 2020

In this report—part of a series on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—the researchers estimate the likely number of infections in China in early 2020.

Christopher A. Mouton, Russell Hanson, Adam R. Grissom, John P. Godges
Jun 5, 2020

COVID-19 Air Traffic Visualization: Decisionmakers Should Base Travel Restrictions on Infection Rates Per Capita and Air Traffic Levels

In this report—part of a series on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—the researchers quantify potential vectors of COVID-19 transmission to the United States resulting from commercial air travel.

Russell Hanson, Christopher A. Mouton, Adam R. Grissom, John P. Godges
Jun 5, 2020

COVID-19 Air Traffic Visualization: Air Passenger Transmission Risk to GCC Countries Originated from Outside the Region

In this report—part of a series on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—the researchers quantify the potential vectors of COVID-19 transmission to Gulf Cooperation Council countries as a result of commercial air travel.

Adam R. Grissom, Christopher A. Mouton, Russell Hanson, John P. Godges
Jun 4, 2020

Benchmarking Data Use and Analytics in Large, Complex Private-Sector Organizations: Implications for Department of Defense Acquisition

This report examines how the private sector addresses data governance and analytics to inform how the Department of Defense can develop and apply advanced analytics to acquisition challenges.

Jeffrey A. Drezner, Jon Schmid, Justin Grana, Megan McKernan, Mark Ashby
May 19, 2020

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.

Elizabeth M. Bartels, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Joel B. Predd
Mar 31, 2020

Software Acquisition Workforce Initiative for the Department of Defense: Initial Competency Development and Preparation for Validation

To support U.S. Department of Defense goals to improve software acquisition, the authors develop a competency model, review training and education courses, and present options for tracking and managing the software acquisition workforce.

Sean Robson, Bonnie L. Triezenberg, Samantha E. DiNicola, Lindsey Polley, John S. Davis, II, Maria C. Lytell
Feb 14, 2020

The Benefits of Fractionation in Competitive Resource Allocation

Leverages a new algorithm for numerically solving Colonel Blotto games to gain insight into a version of the game where players have different types of resources.

Justin Grana, Jonathan Lamb, Nicholas A. O'Donoughue
Feb 6, 2020

Issues with Access to Acquisition Information in the Department of Defense: A Series on Considerations for Managing Program Data in the Emerging Acquisition Environment

This research identifies and describes some of the issues related to managing acquisition program information in the emerging acquisition environment resulting from statutory changes within the Department of Defense acquisition community.

Jeffrey A. Drezner, Megan McKernan, Jerry M. Sollinger, Sydne J. Newberry
Feb 6, 2020

Considerations for Managing Program Data in the Emerging Acquisition Environment: Summary

This research identifies and describes some of the issues related to managing acquisition program information in the emerging acquisition environment resulting from statutory changes within the Department of Defense acquisition community.

Jeffrey A. Drezner, Megan McKernan
Dec 17, 2019

The Department of Defense Posture for Artificial Intelligence: Assessment and Recommendations

In this report, the authors assess the state of artificial intelligence (AI) relevant to DoD, conduct an independent assessment of the Department of Defense's posture in AI, and put forth a set of recommendations to enhance that posture.

Danielle C. Tarraf, William Shelton, Edward Parker, Brien Alkire, Diana Gehlhaus, Justin Grana, Alexis Levedahl, Jasmin Léveillé, Jared Mondschein, James Ryseff, Ali Wyne, Daniel Elinoff, Edward Geist, Benjamin N. Harris, Eric Hui, Cedric Kenney, Sydne J. Newberry, Chandler Sachs, Peter Schirmer, Danielle Schlang, Victoria M. Smith, Abbie Tingstad, Padmaja Vedula, Kristin Warren
Nov 20, 2019

Baselining Defense Acquisition

In support of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) efforts to improve mission effectiveness and efficiency, this report identifies DoD government functions for procurement and acquisition, estimating their costs at between $29 billion and $38 billion.

Philip S. Anton, Tim Conley, Irv Blickstein, Austin Lewis, William Shelton, Sarah Harting
Oct 18, 2019

Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Blood Delivery: A UAV Fleet Design Tool and Case Study

Unmanned aerial vehicles can perform an important medical role delivering critical blood. The authors search for an optimal UAV fleet design by examining payloads and cost models for two missions: logistical resupply and emergency delivery of blood.

Christopher K. Gilmore, Michael Chaykowsky, Brent Thomas
Oct 14, 2019

Right-Sizing Marine Corps Intermediate Supply Units: A Staffing Model and Proposed Process Improvements

The authors present a methodology to determine optimal personnel capacity for Marine Corps intermediate-level supply accounts and other measures to help these accounts work more effectively and efficiently to meet supported units' needs.

Joslyn Fleming, Ellen M. Pint, Jessica Duke, Simon Veronneau, Austin Lewis, Jordan R. Reimer
Aug 29, 2019

Improving DoD's Weapon System Support Program: A Critical Readiness Driver Approach

The readiness and sustainability of weapon systems is a key factor in defense. The Weapon System Support Program prioritizes system parts, but performance is lacking. RAND examines program effectiveness and gives recommendations for the future.

Marc Robbins, James R. Broyles, Josh Girardini, Kristin Van Abel, Patricia Boren
Aug 27, 2019

Personnel Recovery in the AFRICOM Area of Responsibility: Cost-Effective Options for Improvement

This report identifies the most cost-effective options for improving medical rescue capabilities in U.S. Africa Command's area of responsibility.

Christopher A. Mouton, Edward W. Chan, Adam R. Grissom, John P. Godges, Badreddine Ahtchi, Brian Dougherty
Aug 13, 2019

Assessing the Use of Data Analytics in Department of Defense Acquisition

This research brief addresses congressional concerns about the use of data analysis, measurement, and other evaluation-related methods in U.S. Department of Defense acquisition programs and decisionmaking.

Philip S. Anton, Megan McKernan, Ken Munson, James G. Kallimani, Alexis Levedahl, Irv Blickstein, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Sydne J. Newberry
Aug 13, 2019

Assessing Department of Defense Use of Data Analytics and Enabling Data Management to Improve Acquisition Outcomes

Congress asked about acquisition data analytics in the Department of Defense. This report identifies and measures capabilities and recent progress. Barriers to improvement include a culture against data sharing due to security and burden concerns.

Philip S. Anton, Megan McKernan, Ken Munson, James G. Kallimani, Alexis Levedahl, Irv Blickstein, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Sydne J. Newberry
Jun 24, 2019

Designing a Capability Development Framework for Home Affairs

Australia's Department of Home Affairs is seeking to establish an auditable, transparent and evidence-based approach to capability lifecycle management. The authors of this report describe a principles-based model to meet the department's needs.

Peter Dortmans, Jennifer D. P. Moroney, Kate Cameron, Roger Lough, Emma Disley, Laurinda L. Rohn, Lucy Strang, Jonathan P. Wong
May 2, 2019

Aligning Incentives in the Transportation Working Capital Fund: Cost Recovery While Retaining Readiness in Military Transportation

Many of U.S. Transportation Command's peacetime movements are crucial preparation for wartime. But some customers think that costs are too high. This report analyzes cost recovery to better align customer peacetime decisions with the wartime mission.

Kathryn Connor, Michael Vasseur, Laura H. Baldwin
Apr 4, 2019

Development of a Knowledge Readiness Level Framework for Medical Research

A new framework for assessing the maturity of knowledge products (outputs from health science research) assigns each product to a knowledge readiness level, to help the U.S. Army make better decisions about its health science research portfolio.

Charles C. Engel, Richard Silberglitt, Brian G. Chow, Molly Morgan Jones, Jonathan Grant
Feb 11, 2019

Estimating Potential Savings in Department of Defense Activities

There is a push to make the U.S. government run like the private sector. Alternatives to this approach that attempt to account for the complexity and uniqueness of the U.S. Department of Defense are presented in this report.

J. Michael Gilmore, William Shelton, Sarah Harting
Jan 21, 2019

Operating Under a Continuing Resolution: A Limited Assessment of Effects on Defense Procurement Contract Awards

As described in this report, the authors developed an empirical basis for exploring policy issues pertaining to Department of Defense operations under a continuing resolution at the start of a fiscal year, which has become the norm in recent years.

Stephanie Young, J. Michael Gilmore
Jan 4, 2019

Advancing Autonomous Systems: An Analysis of Current and Future Technology for Unmanned Maritime Vehicles

In this report, RAND researchers explore current and potential military applications of autonomous systems, focusing especially on unmanned undersea vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles.

Bradley Martin, Danielle C. Tarraf, Thomas C. Whitmore, Jacob DeWeese, Cedric Kenney, Jon Schmid, Paul DeLuca
Dec 3, 2018

Comprehensive Analysis of Strategic Force Generation Challenges in the Australian Army

This report reviews the modernisation efforts and force generation practices of four armed forces with global presence to derive lessons and practices to inform the Australian Army's own reorganisation policy.

Dwayne M. Butler, Angelena Bohman, Lisa Pelled Colabella, Julia A. Thompson, Michael Shurkin, Stephan B. Seabrook, Rebecca Jensen, Christina Bartol Burnett
Oct 11, 2018

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.

Bradley Wilson, Jessie Riposo, Thomas Goughnour, Mel Eisman, Angelena Bohman, Shane Tierney, Rachel M. Burns
Oct 1, 2018

An Approach to Life-Cycle Management of Shipboard Equipment

The authors analyze trends in the life-cycle management of common shipboard equipment on U.S. Navy surface ships and recommend steps to improve the readiness of this equipment, increase its efficiency, and reduce sustainment costs.

Bradley Martin, Roland J. Yardley, Phillip Pardue, Brynn Tannehill, Emma Westerman, Jessica Duke
Sep 24, 2018

Toward Resiliency in the Joint Blood Supply Chain

Ensuring that blood remains available and safe for the Joint military community requires sophisticated logistical support and a dependable supply chain. The authors explore approaches to improving the resiliency of the blood supply chain.

Brent Thomas, Katherine Anania, Anthony DeCicco, John A. Hamm
Sep 17, 2018

Expanding Operating and Support Cost Analysis for Major Programs During the DoD Acquisition Process: Legal Requirements, Current Practices, and Recommendations

The Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation is required to perform a broad set of cost analysis duties related to major defense acquisition programs but does not always have the resources to fulfill its duties.

Michael Boito, Tim Conley, Joslyn Fleming, Alyssa Ramos, Katherine Anania
Sep 10, 2018

Preparing for "Post-ISIL" Access Challenges: Robust Basing to Support Operations Against Nonstate Adversaries

Researchers at the RAND Corporation developed an interactive tool, called sequential basing, to identify robust basing options in regions with recurrent access crises. The tool is demonstrated in this report, which focuses on a post-ISIL context.

Christopher A. Mouton, Adam R. Grissom
May 21, 2018

Evaluation Finds Excess Property Program Is Efficient and Effective, but Perceptions About Militarized Police Persist

The Law Enforcement Support Office program is efficient and effectively reuses excess Department of Defense property, but perceptions persist that the program contributes to the militarization of police.

Aaron C. Davenport, Jonathan W. Welburn, Andrew Lauland, Annelise Pietenpol, Marc Robbins, Erin Rebhan, Patricia Boren, K. Jack Riley
May 14, 2018

An Evaluation of the Department of Defense's Excess Property Program: Law Enforcement Agency Equipment Acquisition Policies, Findings, and Options

The Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) program is efficiently run and effectively reuses excess Department of Defense property, but this is unlikely to resolve perceptions that the program contributes to the militarization of police.

Aaron C. Davenport, Jonathan W. Welburn, Andrew Lauland, Annelise Pietenpol, Marc Robbins, Erin Rebhan, Patricia Boren, K. Jack Riley
Mar 5, 2018

An Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Perspective on Social Simulation: New Data and New Challenges

Reviews the current state of the art in data infrastructure and artificial intelligence approaches that could be valuable for social and behavioral modeling.

Osonde A. Osoba, Paul K. Davis
Feb 27, 2018

Addressing Ballistic Glass Delamination in the Marine Corps Tactical Vehicle Fleet: Implications for Resourcing and Readiness

Delamination of ballistic glass impairs driver visibility and affects the readiness of Marine Corps tactical vehicles. To address this issue, RAND researchers estimate costs and vehicle availability under various repair and replacement scenarios.

Ellen M. Pint, Joslyn Fleming, Gene Germanovich, Luke Muggy
Jan 24, 2018

Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Considerations for Implementing the Controlled Unclassified Information Reform Program

This report provides a closer look at the current state of the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) program as well as how the new CUI rules might affect DoD acquisition data management.

Megan McKernan, Jessie Riposo, Geoffrey McGovern, Douglas Shontz, Badreddine Ahtchi
Jan 19, 2018

Application of Logic Models to Facilitate DoD Laboratory Technology Transfer

This report describes a method that can help the Department of Defense monitor and track technology transfer from laboratories to customers and assess the success of efforts that may lead to capability improvements.

Eric Landree, Richard Silberglitt
Jan 4, 2018

Assessing Bid Protests of U.S. Department of Defense Procurements: Identifying Issues, Trends, and Drivers

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 called for a study of "the prevalence and impact of bid protests on DoD acquisitions," including the systematic collection and analysis of information on their characteristics and outcomes.

Mark V. Arena, Brian Persons, Irv Blickstein, Mary E. Chenoweth, Gordon T. Lee, David Luckey, Abby Schendt
Oct 6, 2017

Future Aircraft Carrier Options

This report is an exploration of possible alternatives to potentially replace the U.S. Navy's legacy aircraft carrier force as it begins reaching expected service life. This is neither a formal analysis of alternatives nor detailed engineering study.

Bradley Martin, Michael McMahon
Sep 18, 2017

A Strategic Assessment of the Future of U.S. Navy Ship Maintenance: Challenges and Opportunities

This report assesses possible supply and demand capabilities in the ship maintenance workload for the U.S. Navy and notes long-term challenges facing mitigation efforts.

Bradley Martin, Michael McMahon, Jessie Riposo, James G. Kallimani, Angelena Bohman, Alyssa Ramos, Abby Schendt
Aug 14, 2017

Enhancing Management of the Joint Future Vertical Lift Initiative

It is possible to achieve some degree of commonality without joint program management and identifies lessons from historical experience and how they apply to the joint Future Vertical Lift initiative.

Jeffrey A. Drezner, Parisa Roshan, Thomas C. Whitmore
Aug 7, 2017

Exploring Cyber Security Policy Options in Australia

RAND conducted a cyber security exercise in Canberra, Australia to explore opportunities to improve cyber security, assess the implications of possible solutions, and inform Australia's next national Cyber Security Strategy.

Igor Mikolic-Torreira, Don Snyder, Michelle Price, David A. Shlapak, Sina Beaghley, Megan Bishop, Sarah Harting, Jenny Oberholtzer, Stacie L. Pettyjohn, Cortney Weinbaum, Emma Westerman
May 30, 2017

Serious Analytical Gaming: The 360° Game for Multidimensional Analysis of Complex Problems

This report is intended to help decisionmakers who would like to design and run a 360° Game, which can be used in multidimensional analysis of complex problems and allows participants to investigate a problem from a variety of perspectives.

Ryan Henry, Steven Berner, David A. Shlapak
May 2, 2017

Current and Future Challenges to Resourcing U.S. Navy Public Shipyards

To better understand recent trends at U.S. Navy public shipyards, RAND researchers explore how shipyard work is changing, whether more personnel are now required to perform it, and what risks shipyards may wish to address through additional hiring.

Jessie Riposo, Michael McMahon, James G. Kallimani, Daniel Tremblay
Apr 5, 2017

Assessing Tracked and Wheeled Vehicles for Australian Mounted Close Combat Operations: Lessons Learned in Recent Conflicts, Impact of Advanced Technologies, and System-Level Implications

We assess trade-offs between tracked and wheeled combat vehicles by exploring lessons learned from conflict in various parts of the world, the implications of advanced technologies, and system-level implications of the different classes of vehicles.

John Matsumura, John Gordon IV, Randall Steeb, Scott Boston, Caitlin Lee, Phillip Padilla, John Parmentola
Mar 27, 2017

Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Doing Data Right in Weapon System Acquisition

This report examines Department of Defense acquisition data and the information systems where it resides and offers insights into improving the management, availability, and usefulness of this information.

Megan McKernan, Nancy Young Moore, Kathryn Connor, Mary E. Chenoweth, Jeffrey A. Drezner, James Dryden, Clifford A. Grammich, Judith D. Mele, Walter T. Nelson, Rebeca Orrie, Douglas Shontz, Anita Szafran
Feb 20, 2017

Developing a Capacity Assessment Framework for Marine Logistics Groups

This report provides a capacity assessment framework to assist each of the Marine Logistics Groups, or any size unit, in determining the ability of logistics units to meet current and projected tasks.

Joslyn Fleming, Yuna Huh Wong, Walter L. Perry, Austin Lewis
Dec 19, 2016

Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: A Closer Look at the Origins and Implementation of Controlled Unclassified Information Labels and Security Policy

The authors evaluated current Controlled Unclassified Information labeling procedures, practices, and security policies for U.S. Department of Defense acquisition data and recommend improvements.

Megan McKernan, Jessie Riposo, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Geoffrey McGovern, Douglas Shontz, Clifford A. Grammich
Nov 23, 2016

A Framework for Exploring Cybersecurity Policy Options

RAND conducted two discovery games to explore possible solutions for improving cybersecurity, assess their implications, and develop an initial framework to support debate and inform decisions regarding cybersecurity policies and practices.

Igor Mikolic-Torreira, Ryan Henry, Don Snyder, Sina Beaghley, Stacie L. Pettyjohn, Sarah Harting, Emma Westerman, David A. Shlapak, Megan Bishop, Jenny Oberholtzer, Lauren Skrabala, Cortney Weinbaum
Oct 27, 2016

Can Smartphones and Privacy Coexist? Assessing Technologies and Regulations Protecting Personal Data on Android and iOS Devices

This report assesses smartphone users' privacy from technical and regulatory perspectives. It describes a literature review, experiments on Google's Android and Apple's iOS, and federal regulation for protecting privacy in the United States.

Arkady Yerukhimovich, Rebecca Balebako, Anne E. Boustead, Robert K. Cunningham, William Welser IV, Richard Housley, Richard Shay, Chad Spensky, Karlyn D. Stanley, Jeffrey Stewart, Ari Trachtenberg, Zev Winkelman
Oct 7, 2016

Understanding and Assessing the Costs of the Federal Retail Excise Tax on the Department of Defense

This report examines the costs of the 12-percent Federal Retail Excise Tax on certain types of vehicles purchased or refurbished by the U.S. Department of Defense and outlines three prospective reform options that could reduce indirect costs.

Edward G. Keating, Chad Pino, Sarah H. Bana
Sep 19, 2016

Applying Best Practices to Military Commercial-Derivative Aircraft Engine Sustainment: Assessment of Using Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) Parts and Designated Engineering Representative (DER) Repairs

Explores the potential for cost savings in the Department of Defense through the greater use of use of Federal Aviation Administration-certified parts and repairs provided by companies other than the original equipment manufacturer.

Mary E. Chenoweth, Michael Boito, Shawn McKay, Rianne Laureijs
Aug 29, 2016

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).

Bradley Wilson, Isaac R. Porche III, Mel Eisman, Michael Nixon, Shane Tierney, John Yurchak, Kim Kendall, James Dryden, Sean Critelli
Aug 22, 2016

Navy Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution: A Reference Guide for Senior Leaders, Managers, and Action Officers

This tool documents key but enduring aspects of how the Navy implements the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process so that action officers and Navy leaders can successfully navigate and effectively contribute to the process.

Irv Blickstein, John Yurchak, Bradley Martin, Jerry M. Sollinger, Daniel Tremblay
Jun 1, 2016

Technological Lessons from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Accident

This study analyzes technological successes and identifies capability gaps regarding technological countermeasures to radioactive contamination caused by the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant accident.

Cynthia Dion-Schwarz, Sarah Evans, Edward Geist, Scott W. Harold, Vernon Ray Koym, Scott Savitz, Lloyd Thrall
Apr 27, 2016

Preliminary Analysis of Helicopter Options to Support Tunisian Counterterrorism Operations

Rising costs and delivery delays might mean that Tunisia should look at potential alternatives to the UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter. This report assesses potential alternatives that are cost-effective and capable of performing the assault mission.

Christopher A. Mouton, Adam R. Grissom
Apr 18, 2016

Extending Depot Length and Intervals for DDG-51-Class Ships: Examining the 72-Month Operational Cycle

Assesses the potential challenges and benefits associated with changing the employment scheduling of one class of ships -- the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class of destroyers -- to a 72-month operational cycle.

Roland J. Yardley, Daniel Tremblay, Brian Perkinson, Brenna Allen, Abraham Tidwell, Jerry M. Sollinger
Mar 21, 2016

Contestability Frameworks: An International Horizon Scan

RAND identified and reviewed international contestability practices on behalf of the Australian Department of Defence.

Cynthia R. Cook, Emma Westerman, Megan McKernan, Badreddine Ahtchi, Gordon T. Lee, Jenny Oberholtzer, Douglas Shontz, Jerry M. Sollinger
Mar 3, 2016

Designing Adaptable Ships: Modularity and Flexibility in Future Ship Designs

Report explores the U.S. Navy's options for adopting modularity and flexibility concepts in ship design to mitigate risks of adapting to uncertain future missions and technologies, as well as potentially reduce modernization and/or initial costs.

John F. Schank, Scott Savitz, Ken Munson, Brian Perkinson, James McGee, Jerry M. Sollinger
Feb 9, 2016

The Role of Logic Modeling in a Collaborative and Iterative Research Process: Lessons from Research and Analysis Conducted with the Federal Voting Assistance Program

The report describes the underlying method of collaborative logic-model development and application and frames the approach in generalizable step-by-step terms, drawing from research and analysis conducted with the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

Victoria A. Greenfield, Shoshana R. Shelton, Edward Balkovich
Jan 20, 2016

A Framework for Programming and Budgeting for Cybersecurity

This report explains the menu of actions for defending an organization against cyberattack and recommends an approach for organizing the range of actions and evaluating cybersecurity defensive activities.

John S. Davis, II, Martin C. Libicki, Stuart Johnson, Jason Kumar, Michael Watson, Andrew Karode
Jan 14, 2016

The U.S. Department of Defense's Earned Value Management–Analyst Workforce

To support development and integration of earned value management (EVM) competencies across the defense acquisition workforce, RAND researchers surveyed the U.S. Department of Defense EVM-analyst workforce and described it across several dimensions.

Stephanie Young, Daniel Tremblay, Roland J. Yardley
Dec 22, 2015

Metrics to Compare Aircraft Operating and Support Costs in the Department of Defense

This report examines several issues associated with the cost-per-flying-hour (CPFH) metric used in the Department of Defense (DoD), including its use to compare operating and support costs of different aircraft.

Michael Boito, Edward G. Keating, John Wallace, Bradley DeBlois, Ilana Blum
Dec 21, 2015

Assessment of Surface Ship Maintenance Requirements

This report by the National Defense Research Institute (NDRI) examines the impact of the U.S. government's fiscal challenges on the U.S. Navy's surface ship maintenance and operations requirements.

Robert W. Button, Bradley Martin, Jerry M. Sollinger, Abraham Tidwell
Oct 26, 2015

The Federal Voting Assistance Program and the Road Ahead: Achieving Institutional Change Through Analysis and Collaboration

This report documents the Federal Voting Assistance Program's efforts to align its strategy and operations to better serve its mission and stakeholders, and set its own course, greet change, and communicate its role in the voting community.

Victoria A. Greenfield, Shoshana R. Shelton, Edward Balkovich, John S. Davis, II, David M. Adamson
Oct 23, 2015

Joint Precision Approach and Landing System Nunn-McCurdy Breach Root Cause Analysis and Portfolio Assessment Metrics for DoD Weapons Systems, Volume 8

The authors examine the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System Inc. 1A Nunn-McCurdy breach and document a methodology that can assess and summarize the overall performance of an acquisition portfolio at a point in time and over several years.

Jennifer Kavanagh, Megan McKernan, Kathryn Connor, Abby Doll, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Kristy N. Kamarck, Katherine Pfrommer, Mark V. Arena, Irv Blickstein, William Shelton, Jerry M. Sollinger
Jun 22, 2015

Air National Guard Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Domestic Missions: Opportunities and Challenges

This report is intended to help guide discussion of the utility of Air National Guard remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in domestic missions, and it explores the policy and operational constraints that Air National Guard RPAs face.

Stephen J. Guerra, Michael J. McNerney
Jun 16, 2015

Tailoring the Acquisition Process in the U.S. Department of Defense

The research reported here explores tailoring or streamlining in defense acquisition processes to determine whether this policy area would benefit from additional in-depth research.

Megan McKernan, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Jerry M. Sollinger
Jun 12, 2015

Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Policy and Practice

This report identifies the problems and challenges associated with sharing unclassified information within the U.S. Department of Defense and investigates the role of policies and practices associated with such sharing.

Jessie Riposo, Megan McKernan, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Geoffrey McGovern, Daniel Tremblay, Jason Kumar, Jerry M. Sollinger
Jun 12, 2015

Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Executive Summary

This report identifies the problems and challenges associated with sharing unclassified information within the U.S. Department of Defense and investigates the role of policies and practices associated with such sharing.

Jessie Riposo, Megan McKernan, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Geoffrey McGovern, Daniel Tremblay, Jason Kumar, Jerry M. Sollinger
Jun 10, 2015

The Defender's Dilemma: Charting a Course Toward Cybersecurity

This report, the second in a series, reveals insights from chief information security officers; examines network defense measures and attacker-created countermeasures; and explores software vulnerabilities and inherent weaknesses.

Martin C. Libicki, Lillian Ablon, Timothy Webb
Apr 23, 2015

Integrating Operational Energy Implications into System-Level Combat Effects Modeling: Assessing the Combat Effectiveness and Fuel Use of ABCT 2020 and Current ABCT

The authors developed and applied a methodology that leveraged detailed combat effectiveness models to account for the operational energy needs of an Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) 2020 and the current ABCT conducting combat missions.

Endy M. Daehner, John Matsumura, Thomas J. Herbert, Jeremy Kurz, Keith Walters
Apr 15, 2015

The Economic Consequences of Investing in Shipbuilding: Case Studies in the United States and Sweden

This report assesses the economic impacts that a shipbuilder has on its local community and region. The authors utilize a case study methodology to examine two U.S. shipbuilders and the Saab Aeronautics Gripen program in Sweden.

Edward G. Keating, Irina Elena Danescu, Dan Jenkins, James Black, Robert Murphy, Deborah Peetz, Sarah H. Bana
Mar 30, 2015

Acquisition of Space Systems, Volume 7: Past Problems and Future Challenges

As Department of Defense plans for the next-generation space systems in an increasingly challenging fiscal and security environment, it is important to apply lessons learned from past space acquisition, which had experienced many difficulties.

Yool Kim, Elliot Axelband, Abby Doll, Mel Eisman, Myron Hura, Edward G. Keating, Martin C. Libicki, Bradley Martin, Michael McMahon, Jerry M. Sollinger, Erin York, Mark V. Arena, Irv Blickstein, William Shelton
Feb 16, 2015

Defense Working Capital Fund Pricing in the Defense Finance and Accounting Service: A Useful, but Limited, Tool

RAND researchers consider the advantages and disadvantages of funding the Defense Finance and Accounting Service through a Defense Working Capital Fund versus using direct appropriations.

Edward G. Keating, Ellen M. Pint, Christina Panis, Michael H. Powell, Sarah H. Bana
Jan 5, 2015

Improving DLA Supply Chain Agility: Lead Times, Order Quantities, and Information Flow

This report examines how the Defense Logistics Agency could improve its supply chain agility, focusing on reducing lead times, right-sizing order quantities, and mitigating the effects of demand shifts through improved customer information flow.

Eric Peltz, Amy G. Cox, Edward W. Chan, George E. Hart, Daniel Sommerhauser, Caitlin Hawkins, Kathryn Connor
Dec 22, 2014

Keeping Major Naval Ship Acquisitions on Course: Key Considerations for Managing Australia's SEA 5000 Future Frigate Program

This study provides a program overview of acquisition options available for the Commonwealth of Australia's next generation naval surface combatant and identifies internal and external factors that can influence a major ship acquisition program.

John F. Schank, Mark V. Arena, Kristy N. Kamarck, Gordon T. Lee, John Birkler, Robert Murphy, Roger Lough
Dec 4, 2014

Identifying Acquisition Framing Assumptions Through Structured Deliberation

This report documents the structured process that was developed to help project teams identify acquisition framing assumptions, which are useful in defining and tracking key program assumptions throughout the life of an acquisition program.

Mark V. Arena, Lauren A. Mayer
Nov 6, 2014

Findings from Existing Data on the Department of Defense Industrial Base

Existing federal data can identify subcontractors in the defense supply base, their socioeconomic status, and the vulnerability of contractors and subcontractors to environmental risks and changes in their federal prime and subcontract revenue.

Nancy Young Moore, Clifford A. Grammich, Judith D. Mele
Oct 8, 2014

Management Perspectives Pertaining to Root Cause Analyses of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 6: Contractor Motivations and Anticipating Breaches

The authors analyze what motivates defense contractors to determine if better incentives exist to the ones now used, and analyze major defense acquisition programs to see if it is possible to identify programs that might incur a Nunn-McCurdy breach.

Mark V. Arena, John Birkler, Irv Blickstein, Charles Nemfakos, Abby Doll, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Gordon T. Lee, Megan McKernan, Brian McInnis, Carter C. Price, Jerry M. Sollinger, Erin York
Sep 25, 2014

Identifying and Eliminating Barriers Faced by Nontraditional Department of Defense Suppliers

The report seeks to identify barriers that companies face when attempting to enter into contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD), especially when they are not traditional DoD suppliers.

Amy G. Cox, Nancy Young Moore, Clifford A. Grammich
Sep 17, 2014

Identification and Analysis of Technology Emergence Using Patent Classification

This report describes a new approach to identifying and evaluating technological emergence by analyzing connections among different technology areas using the definitions of technology areas set forth by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Christopher A. Eusebi, Richard Silberglitt
Sep 17, 2014

Designing Unmanned Systems with Greater Autonomy: Using a Federated, Partially Open Systems Architecture Approach

Many current unmanned systems (UxSs) employ different communication systems and have limited autonomy, which limit information sharing with warfighters and other UxSs. This report identifies ways to address these limitations.

Daniel Gonzales, Sarah Harting
Aug 26, 2014

Small Business and Strategic Sourcing: Lessons from Past Research and Current Data

Department of Defense (DoD) goals may conflict as DoD attempts to apply strategic-sourcing practices to reduce total costs and improve performance while maintaining a goal of spending about 23 percent of prime-contract dollars with small businesses.

Nancy Young Moore, Clifford A. Grammich, Judith D. Mele
Aug 25, 2014

Ramifications of DARPA's Programming Computation on Encrypted Data Program

RAND was asked to evaluate whether the Programming Computation on Encrypted Data program -- which expands the knowledge base of the global cryptographic community -- is likely to provide more benefits to the United States than it does to its global rivals.

Martin C. Libicki, Olesya Tkacheva, Chaoling Feng, Brett Hemenway
Aug 25, 2014

DoD and Commercial Advanced Waveform Developments and Programs with Multiple Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 5

Compares aspects of the Joint Tactical Radio System network domain program with similar elements for the commercial long-term evolution waveform and analyzes acquisition programs that have repeatedly exceeded certain cost thresholds.

Mark V. Arena, Irv Blickstein, Daniel Gonzales, Sarah Harting, Jennifer Lamping Lewis, Michael McGee, Megan McKernan, Charles Nemfakos, Jan Osburg, Rena Rudavsky, Jerry M. Sollinger
Aug 21, 2014

Measuring Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP) Performance: Capacities, Capabilities, and Sustainability Enablers for Biorisk Management and Biosurveillance

This report describes a project to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework for the Cooperative Biological Engagement Program and recommends metrics for assessing and communicating progress toward the program's goals.

Stephanie Young, Henry H. Willis, Melinda Moore, Jeffrey Engstrom
Jun 9, 2014

DoD Depot-Level Reparable Supply Chain Management: Process Effectiveness and Opportunities for Improvement

Examines Department of Defense depot-level reparable supply chain management to identify the most common reasons for apparent inventory excess and customer support shortfalls and associated process improvement opportunities.

Eric Peltz, Marygail K. Brauner, Edward G. Keating, Evan Saltzman, Daniel Tremblay, Patricia Boren
Jun 2, 2014

Satellite Anomalies: Benefits of a Centralized Anomaly Database and Methods for Securely Sharing Information Among Satellite Operators

This report describes the nature and causes of satellite anomalies, and the potential benefits of a shared and centralized satellite anomaly database. It also explores the obstacles that have so far prevented such a database from being created.

David A. Galvan, Brett Hemenway, William Welser IV, Dave Baiocchi
May 1, 2014

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.

Isaac R. Porche III, Bradley Wilson, Erin-Elizabeth Johnson, Shane Tierney, Evan Saltzman
Apr 30, 2014

Prolonged Cycle Times and Schedule Growth in Defense Acquisition: A Literature Review

This report summarizes a selection of the defense acquisition literature from the 1960s to the present on potential sources of prolonged acquisition cycle times and schedule growth, as well as potential opportunities for improvement.

Jessie Riposo, Megan McKernan, Chelsea Kaihoi
Mar 25, 2014

Markets for Cybercrime Tools and Stolen Data: Hackers' Bazaar

Criminal activities in cyberspace are increasingly facilitated by black markets. This report characterizes these markets and describes how they have evolved, to provide insight into how their existence can harm the information security environment.

Lillian Ablon, Martin C. Libicki, Andrea M. Abler
Mar 24, 2014

Venture Capital and Strategic Investment for Developing Government Mission Capabilities

Through case studies and economic modeling, this research on government strategic investment will help acquisition managers evaluate strategic investment methods to motivate mission-oriented innovation by private firms.

Timothy Webb, Christopher Guo, Jennifer Lamping Lewis, Daniel Egel
Mar 21, 2014

Soldier-Portable Battery Supply: Foreign Dependence and Policy Options

This report describes government and industry concerns associated with the foreign-dependent supply chain for batteries used by soldiers. It discusses alternative policy options to address these concerns.

Richard Silberglitt, James T. Bartis, Kyle Brady
Mar 20, 2014

Analysis to Inform Defense Planning Despite Austerity

Defense analysis can better serve policymakers by exploiting improvements in the state of the art and by rediscovering and supplementing classic principles. These relate to multiple objectives and hedging against uncertainty.

Paul K. Davis
Feb 4, 2014

Improving Federal and Department of Defense Use of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses

The report investigates the barriers that service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses may face when attempting to contract with the federal government and the Department of Defense.

Amy G. Cox, Nancy Young Moore
Jan 29, 2014

Authority to Issue Interoperability Policy

Presents an approach to determine what parties have authority to issue interoperability policy, the legal and policy origins and implementation paths of the authority, and the scope of that authority, shown in a roles and responsibilities network.

Carolyn Wong, Daniel Gonzales
Nov 1, 2013

U.S. Navy Employment Options for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)

Assesses in what ways and to what degree unmanned surface vehicles are suitable for supporting U.S. Navy missions and functions.

Scott Savitz, Irv Blickstein, Peter Buryk, Robert W. Button, Paul DeLuca, James Dryden, Jason Mastbaum, Jan Osburg, Phillip Padilla, Amy Potter, Carter C. Price, Lloyd Thrall, Susan K. Woodward, Roland J. Yardley, John Yurchak
Oct 31, 2013

An Excel Tool to Assess Acquisition Program Risk

Presents the users' manual for the Assessor Tool, an Excel information-based risk tool designed to assist the U.S. Department of Defense acquisition community in assessing weapon systems in accordance with the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act.

Lauren A. Mayer, Mark V. Arena, Michael McMahon
Oct 31, 2013

A Risk Assessment Methodology and Excel Tool for Acquisition Programs

Describes the Assessor Tool, an Excel information-based risk tool designed to assist the U.S. Department of Defense acquisition community in assessing weapon systems integration risk in accordance with the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act.

Lauren A. Mayer, Mark V. Arena, Michael McMahon
Oct 3, 2013

Management Perspectives Pertaining to Root Cause Analyses of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 4: Program Manager Tenure, Oversight of Acquisition Category II Programs, and Framing Assumptions

Concerned with cost overruns in programs that breached Nunn-McCurdy thresholds, Congress directed investigation of the root causes of these overruns, and the authors examine various possible contributors to these breaches.

Mark V. Arena, Irv Blickstein, Abby Doll, Jeffrey A. Drezner, James G. Kallimani, Jennifer Kavanagh, Daniel F. McCaffrey, Megan McKernan, Charles Nemfakos, Rena Rudavsky, Jerry M. Sollinger, Daniel Tremblay, Carolyn Wong
Aug 23, 2013

New Approaches to Defense Inflation and Discounting

An examination of how well current inflation indices and discount rates serve Department of Defense weapon-system program management.

Kathryn Connor, James Dryden
Jun 20, 2013

Using EPIC to Find Conflicts, Inconsistencies, and Gaps in Department of Defense Policies

The authors present a framework and methodology to identify both the roles and responsibilities of those implementing Department of Defense policies and potential conflicts, ambiguities, gaps, inconsistencies, and redundancies in those policies.

Carolyn Wong, Daniel Gonzales, Chad J. R. Ohlandt, Eric Landree, John S. Hollywood
May 3, 2013

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.

Paul DeLuca, Joel B. Predd, Michael Nixon, Irv Blickstein, Robert W. Button, James G. Kallimani, Shane Tierney
May 1, 2013

A Computational Model of Public Support for Insurgency and Terrorism: A Prototype for More-General Social-Science Modeling

Details a prototype computational model that seeks to explain, as a function of contributing factors, the extent of public support for insurgency and its use of terrorism. The model is believed to be reusable and suitable for composition.

Paul K. Davis, Angela O'Mahony
Mar 5, 2013

Obtaining Life-Cycle Cost-Effective Facilities in the Department of Defense

The Department of Defense constructs, operates, and maintains numerous facilities. This report shares RAND's description and assessment of the process used to obtain life-cycle cost-effective facilities and how it affects construction options.

Constantine Samaras, Abigail Haddad, Clifford A. Grammich, Katharine Watkins Webb
Dec 21, 2012

Rapid Acquisition and Fielding for Information Assurance and Cyber Security in the Navy

The U.S. Navy requires an agile, adaptable acquisition process that can field new IT capabilities and services quickly. A RAND study sought to identify ways to accommodate the unique acquisition demands of information technology and cyber programs.

Isaac R. Porche III, Shawn McKay, Megan McKernan, Robert W. Button, Bob Murphy, Kate Giglio, Elliot Axelband
Dec 10, 2012

Assessing the Impact of Requiring Justification and Approval Review for Sole Source 8(a) Native American Contracts in Excess of $20 Million

A new federal requirement for justification and approval of 8(a) contracts over $20 million may delay the awarding of these contracts to eligible participants such as Native Group firms but have little impact on the number of such contracts awarded.

Nancy Young Moore, Amy G. Cox, Clifford A. Grammich, Judith D. Mele
Oct 4, 2012

Naval Aviation Budgeting: Cost Adjustment Sheets and the Flying Hour Program

RAND assessed the contribution of Cost Adjustment Sheets (CASs) to the accuracy of Navy's Flying Hour Program budgets, whether CAS usage is correlated with expenditure-per-flying-hour growth, and why CASs have been used more by the F/A-18 program.

Edward G. Keating, Sarah H. Bana, Michael Boito
Sep 27, 2012

Methodologies in Analyzing the Root Causes of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches

Congressional concern with cost overruns in some major defense acquisition programs led to an investigation of root causes in six programs, enabling RAND to develop a methodology for carrying out such analyses.

Irv Blickstein, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Brian McInnis, Megan McKernan, Charles Nemfakos, Jerry M. Sollinger, Carolyn Wong
Aug 27, 2012

Root Cause Analyses of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 2: Excalibur Artillery Projectile and the Navy Enterprise Resource Planning Program, with an Approach to Analyzing Complexity and Risk

Concern with cost overruns in major defense acquisition programs led Congress to direct investigation of root causes of programs that breached Nunn-McCurdy thresholds. RAND applied its methodology to Excalibur and the Navy's ERP.

Irv Blickstein, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Martin C. Libicki, Brian McInnis, Megan McKernan, Charles Nemfakos, Jerry M. Sollinger, Carolyn Wong
May 24, 2012

CANES Contracting Strategies for Full Deployment

Examines contracting alternatives for the full deployment phase of the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services system, intended to give the U.S. Navy a common set of key command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence networks.

Jessie Riposo, John Gordon IV, Robert Murphy, Bradley Wilson, Isaac R. Porche III
Jan 16, 2012

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.

John Birkler, Paul Bracken, Gordon T. Lee, Mark A. Lorell, Soumen Saha, Shane Tierney
Dec 22, 2011

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.

John Birkler, John F. Schank, Jessie Riposo, Mark V. Arena, Robert W. Button, Paul DeLuca, James Dullea, James G. Kallimani, John Leadmon, Gordon T. Lee, Brian McInnis, Robert Murphy, Joel B. Predd, Raymond H. Williams
Dec 20, 2011

A Cyberworm that Knows No Boundaries

Stuxnet-like worms and other sophisticated, virulent malware pose a serious threat to critical U.S. infrastructure and computer networks. However, defending against such attacks involves complex technological and legal issues.

Isaac R. Porche III, Jerry M. Sollinger, Shawn McKay
Dec 15, 2011

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.

John Birkler, John F. Schank, Jessie Riposo, Mark V. Arena, Robert W. Button, Paul DeLuca, James Dullea, James G. Kallimani, John Leadmon, Gordon T. Lee, Brian McInnis, Robert Murphy, Joel B. Predd, Raymond H. Williams
Dec 9, 2011

Learning from Experience

The governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth of Australia asked the RAND Corporation to develop a set of lessons learned from previous submarine programs that could help inform future program managers.

John F. Schank
Nov 16, 2011

Learning from Experience: Volume I: Lessons from the Submarine Programs of the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia

Presents an overview of lessons learned from five submarine programs in three countries -- the UK's Astute program; the U.S. Navy's Ohio, Seawolf, and Virginia programs; and Australia's Collins program.

John F. Schank, Frank W. Lacroix, Robert Murphy, Mark V. Arena, Gordon T. Lee
Nov 16, 2011

Learning from Experience: Volume II: Lessons from the U.S. Navy's Ohio, Seawolf, and Virginia Submarine Programs

This volume presents an overview of lessons learned from three U.S. Navy submarine programs that could help inform future program managers.

John F. Schank, Cesse Cameron Ip, Frank W. Lacroix, Robert Murphy, Mark V. Arena, Kristy N. Kamarck, Gordon T. Lee
Nov 16, 2011

Learning from Experience: Volume III: Lessons from the United Kingdom's Astute Submarine Program

This volume presents a set of lessons learned from the United Kingdom's Astute submarine program that could help inform future program managers.

John F. Schank, Frank W. Lacroix, Robert Murphy, Cesse Cameron Ip, Mark V. Arena, Gordon T. Lee
Nov 16, 2011

Learning from Experience: Volume IV: Lessons from Australia's Collins Submarine Program

This volume presents a set of lessons learned from Australia's Collins submarine program that could help inform future program managers.

John F. Schank, Cesse Cameron Ip, Kristy N. Kamarck, Robert Murphy, Mark V. Arena, Frank W. Lacroix, Gordon T. Lee
Nov 7, 2011

Root Cause Analyses of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 1: Zumwalt-Class Destroyer, Joint Strike Fighter, Longbow Apache, and Wideband Global Satellite

Congressional concern with cost overruns in some major defense acquisition programs led to an investigation of root causes by examining program reviews, analyzing data, participating in contractor briefings, and holding meetings with stakeholders.

Irv Blickstein, Michael Boito, Jeffrey A. Drezner, James Dryden, Kenneth Horn, James G. Kallimani, Martin C. Libicki, Megan McKernan, Roger C. Molander, Charles Nemfakos, Chad J. R. Ohlandt, Caroline R. Milne, Rena Rudavsky, Jerry M. Sollinger, Katharine Watkins Webb, Carolyn Wong
Nov 3, 2011

Are Ships Different? Policies and Procedures for the Acquisition of Ship Programs

The policies and procedures established by the Department of Defense for program management and oversight can be tailored to meet the unique needs of ship acquisition programs without compromising oversight.

Jeffrey A. Drezner, Mark V. Arena, Megan McKernan, Robert Murphy, Jessie Riposo
Oct 17, 2011

Small Business and Defense Acquisitions: A Review of Policies and Current Practices

Evaluates federal small business policies, how they affect the Department of Defense, and the challenges associated with meeting mandated small business goals.

Clifford A. Grammich, Thomas R. Edison, Jr., Nancy Young Moore, Edward G. Keating
Oct 4, 2011

Pricing Strategies for NASA Wind-Tunnel Facilities

The authors explore six potential approaches to pricing the use of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) wind-tunnel test facilities, and they evaluate each approach against three criteria -- efficiency, fiscal impact, and fairness.

Thomas Light, Chad J. R. Ohlandt, Jan Osburg
Jul 19, 2011

Finding Services for an Open Architecture: A Review of Existing Applications and Programs in PEO C4I

Investigates the potential software services within the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence that could be used as part of a service-oriented architecture.

Isaac R. Porche III, James Dryden, Kathryn Connor, Bradley Wilson, Shawn McKay, Kate Giglio, Juan Montelibano
Jun 1, 2011

The Universal Core Information Exchange Framework: Assessing Its Implications for Acquisition Programs

Universal Core (UCore) 2.0 is a DoD and intelligence community information exchange framework. This report reviews UCore pilot programs and identifies issues to be addressed before UCore implementation is mandated for DoD programs.

Daniel Gonzales, Chad J. R. Ohlandt, Eric Landree, Carolyn Wong, Rima Bitar, John S. Hollywood
Apr 18, 2011

Governing Geoengineering Research: A Political and Technical Vulnerability Analysis of Potential Near-Term Options

Geoengineering is risky, but could transform the options available for limiting future climate change. This report compares risks associated with alternative international approaches the United States might pursue to govern geoengineering research.

Robert J. Lempert, Don Prosnitz
Mar 25, 2011

Shared Modular Build of Warships: How a Shared Build Can Support Future Shipbuilding

Some recent shipbuilding programs have had multiple shipyards construct major modules of each ship. Opting for a shared-build strategy makes it necessary to monitor and manage the program to ensure that it delivers all the required outcomes.

Laurence Smallman, Hanlin Tang, John F. Schank, Stephanie Pezard
Mar 21, 2011

Changing Aircraft Carrier Procurement Schedules: Effects That a Five-Year Procurement Cycle Would Have on Cost, Availability, and Shipyard Manpower and Workload

Proposed changes to the Navy's aircraft carrier acquisition program will have little impact in the short term. Later, the force structure and the probability of meeting deployment goals shrink, along with the Navy's ability to grow the fleet.

John F. Schank, James G. Kallimani, Jess Chandler, Mark V. Arena, Carter C. Price, Clifford A. Grammich
Feb 17, 2011

Advancing Aeronautics: A Decision Framework for Selecting Research Agendas

Develops a unified decisionmaking approach for selecting aeronautics research agendas that quantifies the social and economic reasons for the research, balances competing perspectives, and enables transparent explanation of the resulting decisions.

Philip S. Anton, Liisa Ecola, James G. Kallimani, Thomas Light, Chad J. R. Ohlandt, Jan Osburg, Raj Raman, Clifford A. Grammich
Feb 11, 2011

The U.S. Combat and Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Fleets: Issues and Suggestions for Congress

Congress requested a study of the future U.S. combat and tactical wheeled vehicle fleets to review and make suggestions regarding requirements; capability gaps; technology, operational, and business risks; and modeling and simulation needs.

Terrence K. Kelly, John E. Peters, Eric Landree, Louis R. Moore, Randall Steeb, Aaron L. Martin
Feb 11, 2011

Results from the Congressionally Mandated Study of U.S. Combat and Tactical Wheeled Vehicle

Congress requested a study to assess the challenges in fielding U.S. ground combat and tactical wheeled vehicle fleets, including discussion of requirements; capability gaps; technology, operational, and business risks; and recommended actions.

Terrence K. Kelly, John E. Peters, Eric Landree, Louis R. Moore, Randall Steeb, Aaron L. Martin
Nov 2, 2010

Confronting Space Debris: Strategies and Warnings from Comparable Examples Including Deepwater Horizon

To guide future responses to the space debris problem, examines strategies for nine comparable problems: acid rain, U.S. commercial airline security, asbestos, chlorofluorocarbons, hazardous waste, oil spills, radon, spam, and U.S. border control.

Dave Baiocchi, William Welser IV
Jan 1, 1999

Past Revolutions, Future Transformations: What Can the History of Revolutions in Military Affairs Tell Us About Transforming the U.S. Military?

Advances in technology can bring about dramatic changes in military operations, often termed revolutions in military affairs or RMAs. This report examines past RMAs to see what can be learned from them regarding the challenge confronting the DoD today.

Richard Hundley
Jan 1, 1999

Past RMAs, Future Transformations: What Can History Tell Us About Transforming the U.S. Military?

The Department of Defense is making a concerted effort to transform the U.S. military. RAND offers suggestions for learning from past transformations, preparing for the transformations of others, and successfully completing current transformations.

Richard Hundley
Jan 1, 1998

Environmental Management in Design: Lessons from Volvo and Hewlett-Packard for the Department of Defense

The authors of this report concentrate on two corporations -- Volvo and Hewlett-Packard -- to identify the key factors that led to successful implementation of a design-for-environment program.

Susan A. Resetar, Frank Camm, Jeffrey A. Drezner
Jun 1, 1974

A Public School Voucher Demonstration: The First Year at Alum Rock, Documentary Appendix

This Documentary Appendix is the fourth in a series of Rand reports that describe and analyze the workings of an education voucher demonstration during its first year (academic year 1972-73).

Daniel Weiler

Oops! An unexpected error has occurred.

Please try again. If you see this message repeatedly, there may be a problem with site functionality at this time. Thanks for your patience while we work to resolve the problem.

Menu

Programs and Initiatives
Special Initiatives
- Economic Strategy and Operations Unit
- Space Enterprise Initiative

RAND National Security Research Division

Objective Analysis. Effective Solutions.

RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest.

RAND Headquarters

P.O. Box 2138 
1776 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401-2138

RAND has offices across the U.S., in Europe, and in Australia

See all RAND locations

About
Leadership
Research Integrity
Graduate School
Support RAND
Careers
Contact
Work with Us
For Media
For Congress

Subscribe to the Policy Currents Newsletter

And stay on top of the issues that matter most.

Email

View all newsletters

RAND on LinkedIn
RAND on X
RAND on Instagram
RAND on Facebook
RAND on YouTube
RAND on Bluesky
RAND on Threads
Policy Minded: RAND's Flagship Podcast

RAND® is a registered trademark. © 2026 RAND Corporation.

Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

International Websites:: 中文; العربية

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.