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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
Overview of People's Liberation Army Air Force "Elite Pilots"
This report draws on a wide variety of Chinese primary sources to provide an overview of how the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) selects and trains what it calls its elite fighter pilots.
Aug 24, 2016
Commentary
President Obama's Controversial Legacy as Counterterrorism-in-Chief
There were no attacks like 9/11 during Obama's eight years in office. But there were plenty of terrorist adversaries. While he will be judged in part for his domestic achievements, Obama's counterterrorism choices are a major part of his legacy.
Aug 22, 2016
Report
Worldwide C-17 Availability to Support 82nd Airborne Operations from Fort Bragg/Pope Field
This report explores C-17 availability and determines how quickly these aircraft and their aircrews can reach and depart from Fort Bragg/Pope Field, where the 82nd Airborne Division operates, from the many locations they are deployed to worldwide.
Aug 18, 2016
Report
Enabling the Global Response Force: Access Strategies for the 82nd Airborne Division
The Global Response Force is built for rapid response to unforeseen operations. This study recommends specific GRF access strategies for each geographic combatant command given constraints in aircraft, intermediate staging bases, and other factors.
Jul 28, 2016
News Release
Commercial Airlines May Siphon Pilots From U.S. Air Force, Creating Shortage of Military Aviators
The commercial airline industry will continue hiring more pilots to replace its aging workforce, causing more U.S. Air Force aviators to leave the service. Pilot pay is increasing in the commercial sector while Air Force aviator and retention pay are now discretionary programs under DoD guidelines.
Jul 12, 2016
Report
Commercial Airlines May Siphon Pilots From U.S. Air Force
The commercial airline industry will continue hiring more pilots to replace its aging workforce, causing more U.S. Air Force aviators to leave the service. Pilot pay is increasing in the commercial sector while Air Force aviator and retention pay are now discretionary programs under DoD guidelines.
Jul 12, 2016
Report
Expanding Flight Research: Capabilities, Needs, and Management Options for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate asked RAND to assess flight research capabilities and needs, and to identify management options that would facilitate increased and improved flight research.
Jun 27, 2016
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

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