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Latest NSRD Work

Toward a Future of Directed Energy: Directed Energy Readiness Framework Workshop
This workshop will bring together experts from the directed energy, acquisition, engineering, operational, and technology-transition communities to explore the challenges of directed energy systems readiness. Participants will examine how readiness is assessed across the development and acquisition lifecycle.
Sep 26, 2026
Total War on Taipei
RAND researchers examine a 2025 Chinese military concept for rapidly subduing Taipei through all-domain megacity incapacitation warfare, which combines blockade, precision strikes, and cognitive attacks to break an adversary's will to fight.
Aug 27, 2026
Defense Requirements Planning in Comparative Organizations: Case Studies of Selected Adversaries and Allied Nations
As the U.S. Department of War considers ways to modernize its defense requirements system, the experiences of other nations in formulating their defense requirements may suggest useful approaches.
Aug 11, 2026
Ukraine's Winning Strategy Against Russia: Attrition
Over the last two years, Ukraine has developed an effective, if not necessarily novel, strategy of attrition: kill more Russian soldiers, faster. Ukraine's leaders use business principles to maximize both Russian casualties and economic costs.
Jul 22, 2026
The Men and Women of Project Firestar—How the United States Developed the Labor Force to Colonize Titan
The year is 2050. A fictional RAND analyst reflects back on how the United States built the labor force it needed to establish an independent human colony on Saturn’s largest moon.
Jul 21, 2026
Quality and Patient Safety Review Processes in Military Treatment Facilities and Operational Clinical Services
RAND researchers found that while permanent military medical facilities generally have strong systems to ensure quality and patient safety, temporary or mobile operational clinics vary widely and face challenges due to inconsistent oversight, incomplete records, and staffing issues. Recommendations include better tracking, clearer standards, and improved support.
Jun 23, 2026
Understanding China's Naval Maintenance Management
The rapid growth and modernization of China's navy has created a larger burden for logistics support and maintenance of its assets. What have other navies done to balance maintenance demand and supply, and how does China's approach compare with them?
Jun 18, 2026
Wargaming the Home Front: Stress-Testing U.S. Homeland Defense
How can defense and civil authorities better coordinate and allocate scarce resources during large-scale domestic emergencies?
Jun 17, 2026
Setting Special and Incentive Pay Policy in the U.S. Military
Special and Incentive (S&I) pays compensate military members with critical or specialized skills, who perform hazardous duties, or who are assigned to austere locations. RAND researchers developed a framework for understanding and setting S&I pays.
Jun 16, 2026
Understanding Partner Preferences in the Selection of Defense Capabilities
Through eight case studies, this report describes the factors that shape a country’s decision to acquire military capabilities and the trade-offs in cost, function, timelines for delivery, and other incentives to select suppliers and systems.
Jun 16, 2026
Flagpole to Front Lines: A Warfighter-Driven Requirements Process
The U.S. Department of War is operating in one of the most complex and dangerous security environments the U.S. has ever faced. This environment demands a coherent, agile, and integrated approach to the DOW requirements process.
Jun 10, 2026
Understanding Dual-Use Space Activities
Many space technologies have both civilian and military applications. What are the implications of this inherent duality? And how might international norms or governance frameworks address the risks of dual-use space activities?
Jun 9, 2026
Battle Damage Repair for Arleigh Burke–Class Destroyers
The Arleigh Burke–class guided missile destroyer is the primary surface combatant vessel of the U.S. Navy. A conflict in the Indo-Pacific region would give rise to the greatest demand for ship repair since World War II.
May 27, 2026
Anu Narayanan Appointed to Lead RAND's National Security Research Division
Anu Narayanan, a national security expert whose work focuses on critical infrastructure, resilience and defense planning, has been appointed vice president and director of RAND's National Security Research Division, effective immediately.
May 26, 2026
Risks of Collaborating with China on Space
China advances its space research and development to the detriment of other countries' space goals. Its path to space power has left a trail of disappointed partner nations in its wake. And institutions that do not partner with China are not insulated from risk.
May 26, 2026
Preparing the Homeland for Great-Power Conflict: WEST ROOK
The WEST ROOK wargame examines how defense and civil authorities can better coordinate and allocate scarce resources during large-scale domestic emergencies.
May 21, 2026
Clearing Mines in the Strait of Hormuz: Q&A with Scott Savitz
Scott Savitz is a senior engineer at RAND, a specialist in naval operations and technologies, and an expert in mine warfare. In this interview he discusses the threat of naval mines and the challenge of clearing the Strait of Hormuz.
May 19, 2026
Independent Assessment of the Defense Business Enterprise Architecture
RAND researchers assessed 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.
May 13, 2026
Optimizing Defense Requirements Cooperation Among the United States and Its Allies
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have all begun major reforms to their defense requirements and acquisition processes, providing an opportunity for the United States to leverage these initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of combined forces.
May 7, 2026
Mission Critical Talent: A Study of the Applicant Experience in U.S. Government Personnel Vetting
RAND is inviting current and former U.S. government employees and contractors to take a survey as part of a study to understand experiences with the Federal background investigation and vetting process.
May 6, 2026
Addressing Evolving Security Challenges in Latin America
The 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy elevates Latin America as a region of serious concern. How could the DOW's security force assistance activities there be expanded to bolster homeland defense and advance U.S. interests in the region?
May 5, 2026
China's Science and Technology Strategy
From imperial hydraulic and astronomical systems to Xi Jinping's drive for technological self-reliance, China's governments have treated scientific capability not simply as an engine of growth, but as a pillar of political order, social stability, and national strength.
May 5, 2026
The Survivor Benefit Plan Optional Child Annuity Repeal
Congress asked the U.S. Department of War to evaluate the effect of repealing the optional Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) child annuity. RAND researchers examined the history of SBP, the unintentional consequences of recent reforms, and other federal survivor benefit programs.
Apr 28, 2026
Armenia's Specters of Peace and War
Pivotal parliamentary elections are coming in June, and Armenia's young democracy faces a stirring test between the ghosts of its history and a hopeful bet on a stable future.
Apr 27, 2026
When Economic Security Meets Economic Statecraft: Principles for a New Era
U.S. economic security policy and economic statecraft once operated in parallel with minimal friction. That separation has broken down.
Apr 24, 2026
Fiscal Year 2025 Assessment of the Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project
The Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project is helping hire, pay, and manage employees more flexibly than the standard system, but there are areas for improvement.
Apr 21, 2026
AI and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk
AI could reshape the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risk landscape. Developing a research roadmap may help mitigate emerging threats while leveraging AI’s potential to strengthen security.
Apr 16, 2026
Protecting Security in Science and Technology Research
Research security is critical to scientific progress and international collaboration while mitigating risks to national security, economic competitiveness, and standards. Robust governance mechanisms can prevent exploitation while maintaining the openness essential to scientific advancement.
Mar 31, 2026
National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program: Progress in 2024–2025
The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program serves young people ages 16 to 18 who risk not completing a high school credential. This report, the tenth in a series of annual updates, covers the program and the participants who entered during 2024.
Mar 31, 2026
Strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance
A years-long project works to identify and discuss issues of critical importance to the United States, to Japan, and to the alliance between the two nations
Mar 30, 2026
The U.S.-Japan Alliance: Today and Beyond
Experts gathered in February 2026 to explore the current state and future of the U.S.-Japan alliance following the "new golden age" declaration by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Mar 30, 2026
Integrating Innovation into U.S. Department of War Requirements Reform
RAND researchers explored how the U.S. Department of War can better connect its modernization efforts with real military needs by reforming its requirements system to turn fast-moving innovations into lasting, effective capabilities for warfighters.
Mar 25, 2026
Modernizing the Department of Defense Requirements Process
Congress directed the Department of Defense to modernize and streamline its requirements process to better align with modern warfare and technology, and a diverse team—including RAND—recommended major reforms to achieve this goal.
Mar 25, 2026
Gaza's Reconstruction Must Begin with Its Youth
The loss of safety, opportunity, and a sense of normalcy have shaped how young Palestinians regulate emotions and think about the future. Anxiety, depression, and despair are widespread. Left unaddressed, this latent damage will outlast any ceasefire or physical reconstruction.
Mar 14, 2026
War in Iran: Q&A with RAND Experts
The U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran have sent shockwaves across the region and beyond. RAND experts discuss the dynamics within Iran, regional and global implications, the prospects for diplomacy, and more.
Mar 10, 2026
The Defense Contract Management Agency's Resource Workload Model Ecosystem: A Basis for Enhanced Warfighter Support
RAND researchers evaluated the accuracy and usefulness of the Defense Contract Management Agency's (DCMA's) Integrated Resource Workload Model, which estimates the annual DCMA workload and the number of necessary personnel.
Mar 5, 2026
Workforce Modeling at the Defense Contract Management Agency Provides Useful Estimates and Can Be Improved
RAND researchers assessed the Defense Contract Management Agency’s workforce modeling effort, concluding that it is comprehensive and provides estimates that can reliably inform decisions, but it could be improved with continued development.
Mar 5, 2026
Assessing the Practical Feasibility of the Clader-Jacobs-Sprouse Quantum Algorithm for Calculating Radar Cross Sections
The Clader-Jacobs-Sprouse quantum computing algorithm could one day make radar modeling much faster, but current resource limits mean it’s unlikely to be practical soon. However, future advances in quantum research may change that.
Feb 24, 2026
Pursuing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration in Gaza
The next phase of President Trump's plan for ending the conflict and paving the way for peace between Israelis and Palestinians is contingent on Hamas's disarmament. But how that's defined and how to achieve it remain elusive. How could a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program work?
Feb 20, 2026
Russia in the High North
With Finland and Sweden joining NATO, Russia perceives a growing threat in the High North. But its war in Ukraine has constrained Moscow's ability to achieve its military objectives in the region. How might Russia's strategy in the Arctic evolve after the war ends?
Feb 17, 2026
The U.S.-Japan Alliance: Today and Beyond
For more than seven decades, the partnership between the United States and Japan has served as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Join us for the Twelfth Year of RAND’s U.S.-Japan Alliance Series event as we examine the current state of this vital partnership.
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.
Feb 17, 2026
AI Security Guide and Risk Assessment Tool
The AI Security Guide and Risk Assessment Tool 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.
Feb 12, 2026
Surveying Duality in Space: Volume I, Americas Workshop Insights on Developing, Deploying, and Governing Dual-Use Space Systems
A RAND project convened 14 space stakeholders from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Costa Rica across government, private, and research sectors for a workshop examining dual-use space systems: those capable of performing both civilian and military operations.
Feb 3, 2026
Exploring Duality in Space
Dual-use space systems are technologies that can be used for peaceful purposes, but could also be weaponized. RAND researchers brought together experts from the Americas, Eurasia, and the Indo-Pacific region to examine how commercial, civil, and defense sectors increasingly overlap in space.
Feb 3, 2026
How Chinese Military Decisions About Adopting Mission Command Could Affect a Future U.S.-China Conflict
RAND analysis of Chinese military writings reveals a fundamental tension: while some PLA researchers advocate for mission command to handle future warfare's mounting demands, this conflicts with Beijing's preference for centralized political control over the military.
Jan 29, 2026
A Bold Strategy to Recapture Technology Leadership
Rather than competing head-on with China's incremental innovations, the United States could leapfrog current-generation technologies to create entirely new paradigms in such areas as semiconductors, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and health care diagnostics.
Jan 7, 2026
Economic Strategy and Operations Unit
RAND’s Economic Strategy and Operations Unit (ESOU) helps the U.S. government harness the nation’s economic and commercial strengths to advance national security, U.S. interests, and economic prosperity.
Dec 30, 2025
RAND/DARPA Geoeconomics Summer Study
RAND invites applications for a DARPA-sponsored Geoeconomics Summer Study in summer 2026. Blending theory and practice, this initiative aims to generate new insights in geoeconomics through collaboration with emerging scholars. Applications are open until February 28, 2026.
Dec 30, 2025
Supply Chain Uncertainty and Responses: The Case of Ship Bromination Systems
RAND researchers assess where the supply chain for bromination systems might be vulnerable and identify solutions to potential disruptions.
Dec 30, 2025

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