Project AIR FORCE Research and Commentary

Research

Sep 10, 2025

Improving Partner Interoperability for U.S. Air Forces in Europe: Aircraft Maintenance and Cross-Servicing

U.S. Air Forces in Europe is pursuing greater interoperability with its European partners. The authors review policy and interview experts, finding both progress and persistent obstacles on F-35 and F-16 efforts.
Expert Insights

Sep 9, 2025

Enhancing Air Force Lethality: Workforce Segmentation as a Tool for Funding Realignment

To enhance the lethality of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the authors introduce a workforce segmentation framework designed to help senior USAF decisionmakers realign end-strength funding from less-critical segments to more-critical USAF priorities.
Research

Aug 12, 2025

The People's Liberation Army's Approach to Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Theory and Practice

This analysis of publicly available information on Chinese perspectives of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) in air combat can inform U.S. Department of the Air Force leaders and strategists as they develop advanced U.S. MUM-T warfighting concepts.
Research

Aug 5, 2025

More Effective and Efficient Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Across the U.S. Space Force System Life Cycle

Having conducted and analyzed interviews, participated in workshops, and reviewed literature, the authors of this report examined how the U.S. Space Force can improve its use of modeling and simulation throughout the space system life cycle.
Research Summary

Aug 5, 2025

Improving Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Across the U.S. Space Force System Life Cycle

The authors of this brief summarize research on how the U.S. Space Force can improve its use of modeling and simulation throughout the space system life cycle following interviews, workshops, and a literature review.
Podcast

Jul 17, 2025

Duration 50:17

How to Prevent Catastrophe in Outer Space

Space is becoming more congested, contested, and competitive. This poses serious risks—from satellites colliding to a major conflict breaking out. How can humanity prevent such a disaster? RAND's Bruce McClintock and Douglas Ligor discuss the need for international space traffic management.
Research

Jul 1, 2025

Improving the Civilian Hiring Process in the Department of the Air Force 96th Test Wing

In this report, researchers map the civilian hiring process in the 96th Test Wing and describe barriers to and best practices for timely and effective hiring. They also provide recommendations for improving the test wing’s process.
Tool

Jun 12, 2025

A Brief Guide to Workforce Statistics for Airmen and Guardians

This user guide presents foundational concepts behind typical Department of the Air Force (DAF) workforce statistics to help U.S. Air Force airmen and U.S. Space Force guardians better understand how data-driven decisions are made in the DAF.
Research

Jun 3, 2025

Should U.S. Air Force Warrant Officers Attend Professional Military Education? An Assessment of Programmatic Objectives and Options

The U.S. Air Force is reintroducing warrant officers as a critical investment in the technical workforce needed for future conflict. This report addresses a RAND evaluation of whether warrant officers should attend professional military education.
Research

Jun 3, 2025

Assessing Progress on Air Base Defense: Past Investments and Future Options

The growing missile threat in the Pacific region has led the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to assess air base defense. RAND researchers examined how the USAF has invested in air base defense and how it can prioritize air base defense moving forward.
Research

May 29, 2025

A Framework for Examining Global Posture to Enable Agile and Responsive Operations

RAND researchers developed a framework to help the U.S. Air Force evaluate prepositioning strategies for critical assets. Decisionmakers can use this framework to guide posture decisions using specific requirements, constraints, and priorities.
Tool

May 28, 2025

Theater Air Base Resiliency Optimization Model (TAB-ROM): Analyst Guide for Version 2.0

This guide helps analysts use the RAND-developed Theater Air Base Resiliency Optimization Model (TAB-ROM) tool, version 2.0, which identifies the most cost-effective mitigation options to consider in the event of a missile attack on an air base.

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Research & Commentary

Featured

Reimagining Air Base Defense in an Era of Drones and Strategic Inflection

Reimagining Air Base Defense in an Era of Drones and Strategic Inflection

Understanding Russia’s Role in Latin America

Department of the Air Force Fellows Program

RAND Project AIR FORCE: An Enduring Partnership to Address the Department of the Air Force’s Greatest Challenges

All PAF Research & Commentary

Error

Improving Partner Interoperability for U.S. Air Forces in Europe: Aircraft Maintenance and Cross-Servicing

Enhancing Air Force Lethality: Workforce Segmentation as a Tool for Funding Realignment

The People's Liberation Army's Approach to Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Theory and Practice

More Effective and Efficient Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Across the U.S. Space Force System Life Cycle

Improving Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Across the U.S. Space Force System Life Cycle

How to Prevent Catastrophe in Outer Space

Improving the Civilian Hiring Process in the Department of the Air Force 96th Test Wing

A Brief Guide to Workforce Statistics for Airmen and Guardians

Should U.S. Air Force Warrant Officers Attend Professional Military Education? An Assessment of Programmatic Objectives and Options

Assessing Progress on Air Base Defense: Past Investments and Future Options

A Framework for Examining Global Posture to Enable Agile and Responsive Operations

Theater Air Base Resiliency Optimization Model (TAB-ROM): Analyst Guide for Version 2.0

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