PAF News Archive

The Value of Systematic Assessments of Weapons Procurement
Jun 8, 2020

Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and inevitable economic difficulties, national governments should be encouraged to weigh their military requirements in a more cost-effective manner. Countries need to think strategically about the life cycle costs of equipment, not just the original purchase price.
Protecting the U.S. Supply on Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles
May 6, 2020

Our recent RAND report on the global heavy lift launch market highlights the potential for a near term shortage of launch vehicles needed to lift U.S. defense and intelligence satellites to orbit. These satellites are the eyes, ears, networks and timekeepers of U.S. armed services, and an inability to launch them in times of need could compromise national security.
An Air and Space Force Designed for the Future
Feb 4, 2020

At the fifth annual West Coast Aerospace Forum, some of the Air Force's most senior leaders joined RAND researchers and other top national security experts to discuss important issues related to the future of air and space power.
Vietnam Is the Chinese Military's Preferred Warm-Up Fight
May 15, 2019

China's last major war experience gave it virtually zero lessons to apply to future armed conflict. At some point the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will need to test its new capabilities and the training it has honed over time. There are at least three reasons why Vietnam is likely in the PLA's crosshairs.
Cryptocurrency, Russian Social Media, Congestion Pricing: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 29, 2019

This weekly recap focuses on cryptocurrencies, Russian social media influence, congestion pricing, and more.
In Venezuela, a Potential U.S.-Russian Crisis?
Jan 8, 2019

In December, two supersonic nuclear-capable Russian bombers visited Venezuela, the third such excursion for the warplanes since 2008. Might Moscow intend to pose a threat, perhaps even nuclear, to the Western Hemisphere? If so, how could Washington respond?
Harold Brown, Former U.S. Defense Secretary and Secretary of the Air Force, Dies at 91
Jan 5, 2019

Harold Brown, a nuclear physicist and weapons designer who helped shape America's Cold War-era national security policy during a career that included terms as secretary of defense and secretary of the Air Force, died January 4, 2018.
China's Military Has No Combat Experience: Does It Matter?
Nov 27, 2018

China's military has an impressive high-tech arsenal, but its ability to use these weapons and equipment remains unclear. The one asset that the People's Liberation Army lacks is combat experience. But there is no consensus—either within Chinese military circles or among foreign analysts—on how much that matters.
The U.S. Air Force Is Working Harder to Retain Female Officers, and Here's How
Aug 6, 2018

Women are underrepresented among the U.S. Air Force's senior leadership. This could be robbing the service of the potential to improve innovation, agility, and performance. The Air Force is working to address diversity in the service, and it continues to work to improve representation of women within its ranks.
Improving the Effectiveness of Air Force Squadron Commanders
May 23, 2018

U.S. Air Force commanders around the world understand their responsibilities. But they believe that many unrecognized duties interfere with mission performance. They are generally prepared by professional education and career progression to fulfill their responsibilities, but they could use more instruction on how to command.
Xi's Consolidation of Power at the 19th Party Congress: Implications for PLA Aerospace Forces
Dec 11, 2017

Xi Jinping has emerged from the 19th Party Congress stronger than at least his past two predecessors. He solidified his grip on power and revealed significant changes to the Central Military Commission, which oversees the People's Liberation Army.
Exploring Trust, Leadership, and 'Analytic Courage'
Nov 15, 2017

Leaders in business, government, academia, and philanthropy gathered at RAND's headquarters in Santa Monica to pay tribute to the seven-decade relationship between RAND and the U.S. Air Force. Panelists discussed the importance of trusted advice to inform national security descisonmaking.
What Does the 19th Party Congress Mean for the PLA?
Oct 18, 2017

The People's Liberation Army has a lot at stake in China's Communist Party Congress. In addition to changes in military leadership, reports issued at a Party Congress invariably contain directives to the military that can add impetus to ongoing initiatives.
Chinese Bomber Flights Around Taiwan: For What Purpose?
Sep 13, 2017

Recent bomber flights near Taiwan represent the most concerted training regimen yet aimed at improving Chinese airpower. China seeks to enhance the PLA Air Force's capabilities and signal Beijing's will to defend its territorial claims against the U.S. and its regional allies and partners, especially Taiwan and Japan.
RAND Corporation Administering 2017 Air Force Community Feedback Tool
Sep 5, 2017

Researchers from the RAND Corporation are administering an Air Force-sponsored survey to provide members of the Air Force community an opportunity to speak out on the challenges they face and the services they find most helpful.
Enhancing China's Status as a Great Power
Aug 1, 2017

China is investing heavily in its military modernization program as it aims to extend its power in the region as well as globally. How will China's growing ability to project power affect U.S. regional goals?
Five Simple Strategy Lessons for a New Secretary of Defense
Mar 2, 2017

Secretary of Defense James Mattis will need to lay the intellectual groundwork to fulfill President Trump's promise of “a great rebuilding” of the United States military. History suggests that how the strategies are developed may be as important to their success as what they say.
China's PLAAF Pilot Training Program Undergoes Major Overhaul
Oct 27, 2016

China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has made great strides in recent years to transform its pilot training program. PLAAF leaders understand many of the institutional and cultural weaknesses that impede effectiveness and are taking measures to address them.
China's Air Force Is Fixing Its Shortcomings
Oct 14, 2016

The prevailing view among Western observers is that Chinese fighter pilots lack the tactical mindset to engage and prevail in a dynamic, unscripted combat environment. But the PLAAF appears to have undertaken major reform in how it trains its pilots.
PLA Reforms and Their Ramifications
Sep 23, 2016

The newest round of reforms to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is expected to improve the military's efficiency, warfighting capability, and political loyalty, but entrenched interests within the PLA could lead to reluctance within the military to adjust to new realities.
China's Military Reorganization Aims to Tighten Party Control and Strengthen Warfighting Capabilities
Sep 6, 2016

Xi Jinping's sweeping reforms could result in a leaner, more combat-effective PLA that presents a more potent challenge to China's neighbors and to U.S. interests in the region. But even successful reforms will not guarantee victory on the battlefield, and any hypothetical conflict involving the U.S. would carry tremendous risks.
Book Review: 'China's Military Transformation' by You Ji
Jul 5, 2016

China's military has undeniably made tremendous strides in recent years. You Ji's book provides a collection of interesting and often perceptive observations on political and intellectual aspects of a rapidly modernizing People's Liberation Army.
Xi's Purge of the Military Prepares the Chinese Army for Confrontation
Apr 21, 2016

Xi Jinping is relying on an unprecedented anti-corruption campaign, echoing Mao Zedong's dictum that “the party commands the gun,” and implementing a sweeping reorganization of the PLA to ensure his personal dominance over the military and to strengthen its ability to deter or win future wars.
Taiwan Forced to Rethink Its Air Defense Strategy
Apr 14, 2016

Taiwan's defense problem is challenging, but it will spend a considerable sum on air defense capabilities in the coming years, and those investments could be made much more effective.
Will the PLA Reforms Succeed?
Apr 1, 2016

Reforms within the Chinese People's Liberation Army are in the process of delivering sweeping changes to its day-to-day operations, despite concerns held by some military members. Whether or not the overall implementation is successful as envisioned, assessing the operational implications of the reforms will require more time.