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Aircraft

Research insights into aircraft selection and maintenance, crew training, test facilities, and airspace access are valuable to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and U.S. and allied air forces. RAND studies have also examined military air power and aerospace industry issues.

Report

Managing U.S. Air Force Aircraft Operating and Support Costs: Insights from Recent RAND Analysis and Opportunities for the Future

To help the Air Force manage rising operating and support (O&S) costs for aircraft, this report describes key findings from previous RAND analyses, discusses current Air Force efforts to address O&S costs, and recommends additional actions.

May 6, 2016
Testimony

Implications of China's Aerospace Industrial Policies

China aims to create a globally competitive commercial aviation and space industry. Its efforts have had limited impact on the U.S. aerospace sector so far, but the creation of a strong Chinese competitor could affect the U.S. economy and employment.

Apr 27, 2016
Report

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.

Apr 27, 2016
Commentary

Reimagining and Modernizing U.S. Airborne Forces for the 21st Century

Many of the challenges the U.S. will face in the coming years across the range of military operations could be deep inland and require rapid response. Airborne forcible entry — with reimagined and modernized airborne forces — would offer decisionmakers options in crises that they do not possess today.

Apr 20, 2016
Commentary

Regulating Drone Airspace Using 'Smart Markets'

With commercially operated autonomous drones potentially on the horizon, a policy problem is likely to emerge: allocation of scarce airspace and preferred flight paths. “Smart markets” could help.

Apr 19, 2016
Commentary

Do 'Guardian Forces' Belong in the Military?

More and more national security workers in and out of uniform never get close to combat. They address cyber threats, operate satellite constellations, and control drones. It's time to rethink their place in the system.

Mar 10, 2016
Report

Consolidating Air Force Maintenance Occupational Specialties

This report examines the cost and readiness implications of consolidating maintenance occupational specialties for new and legacy mobility fleets. Implications are derived from an assessment conducted for the KC-135 fleet.

Mar 9, 2016
Report

A Review of Selected International Aircraft Spares Pooling Programs: Lessons Learned for F-35 Spares Pooling

Development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was shared by nine countries, who agreed that F-35 sustainment assets would be managed as a global pool. This report reviews other military aircraft spares pooling programs to identify lessons learned.

Feb 18, 2016
Report

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.

Dec 22, 2015
Dissertation

Improving the Cost Efficiency and Readiness of MC-130 Aircrew Training: A Case Study

Examines the respective effects on costs and readiness of existing and potential MC-130 aircrew continuation training policies.

Dec 18, 2015
Commentary

Inside the Fish Bowl: High Stakes Acquisition Protests

The Boeing-Lockheed Martin team filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office asserting that the U.S. Air Force's selection of Northrop Grumman to build the Long Range Strike-Bomber was fundamentally flawed. Work on the program, valued at approximately $80 billion, is now paused.

Dec 3, 2015
Report

Reducing Air Force Fighter Pilot Shortages

Examines potential paths for overcoming the persistent and critical shortage of fighter pilots that the Air Force has faced over the past several decades.

Nov 24, 2015
Dissertation

Improving Standoff Bombing Capacity in the Face of Anti-Access Area Denial Threats

Addresses the issue of standoff capacity in anti-access/area denial environments using a cost-effectiveness methodology.

Nov 20, 2015
Commentary

Passing Judgment on Russian Plane Crash Before the Facts Are In

A bright flash and catastrophic event suggest an explosion, but do not necessarily exclude the possibility of a mechanical failure. This would not, in fact, be the first time evidence pointed to a terrorist attack when none existed.

Nov 12, 2015
Dissertation

The Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Agriculture in Africa: Can It Fly?

Examines the feasibility of adopting agricultural unmanned aerial systems in Africa.

Nov 11, 2015
Report

Rescuing Downed Aircrews: The Value of Time

This report describes research to quantify the "rescuability window" of downed aircrews to assist the U.S. Air Force's reassessment of its personnel recovery force structure.

Nov 9, 2015
Commentary

Pakistan and China's Almost Alliance

Policymakers in the United States and throughout Asia should take note of why the Sino-Pakistani relationship has endured for so long, what each partner gets from the other, and what inherent limitations prevent the union from developing into a true alliance.

Oct 16, 2015
Q&A

A No-Fly Zone Over Syria: Q&A with Karl Mueller

Some are advocating a no-fly zone in Syria to protect civilians from both ISIS and forces loyal to Assad. What constraints complicate establishing a no-fly zone and realizing its expected benefits? And how might Assad supporters, such as Russia, respond?

Oct 15, 2015
Commentary

Lessons from the Past for the Future of the KC-46A

Analysis suggests that fixed-price contracts have not successfully reduced costs to the DoD associated with developing complex weapon systems. This has implications for the Air Force, given the importance of the ongoing KC-46A program.

Sep 16, 2015
Research Brief

U.S. and Chinese Air Superiority Capabilities

The United States maintains unparalleled air-to-air capabilities. But the modernization of Chinese air forces, combined with the difficulties of operating over long distances in Asia, would make it more and more challenging for the United States to gain air superiority during the beginning of a possible conflict with China.

Sep 14, 2015

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