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Military Communication Systems

To function effectively, military command and control depends on a complex communication network of equipment, personnel, and communication protocols to relay information among forces. RAND has conducted comprehensive evaluations and research on how to integrate coalition force interactions effectively into a cohesive, flexible, and secure communication network, thereby ensuring a cooperative projection of force.

Report

Report

Needs, Effectiveness, and Gap Assessment for Key A-10C Missions: An Overview of Findings

This report analyzes several missions assigned to the A-10C aircraft and the needs this mission set could generate over the next five years. It also assesses existing and planned forces' effectiveness and capability gaps in performing those missions.

Mar 2, 2017
Report

Report

Designing Unmanned Systems with Greater Autonomy: Using a Federated, Partially Open Systems Architecture Approach

Many current unmanned systems (UxSs) employ different communication systems and have limited autonomy, which limit information sharing with warfighters and other UxSs. This report identifies ways to address these limitations.

Sep 17, 2014
Commentary

Calling for a Time-Out in the Army Intelligence Software Debate

The Army's Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) program has been getting much attention from Congress, and its future was the subject of a heated exchange between the Army's Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno and Representative Duncan Hunter in May.

Aug 21, 2013
Report

Report

Virtual Collaboration for a Distributed Enterprise

Addresses the challenges to team effectiveness caused by geographic diversity through an assessment of three modes of virtual collaboration.

Apr 22, 2013
Report

Redefining Information Warfare Boundaries for an Army in a Wireless World

The U.S. Army is studying ways to apply its cyber power and is reconsidering doctrinally defined areas related to cyberspace operations. Clarifying the overlap between network and information operations and other areas could inform Army doctrine.

Jan 16, 2013
Report

Report

CANES Contracting Strategies for Full Deployment

Examines contracting alternatives for the full deployment phase of the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services system, intended to give the U.S. Navy a common set of key command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence networks.

May 24, 2012
Report

Report

Army Networks Enable Shared Situational Awareness and Unity of Action

The ability of U.S. forces to gather, process, and disseminate battlespace information in a networked fashion has given them an advantage in major combat operations. The Army should extend the network to lower echelons; expand it to include host nation, coalition, and other U.S. government partners; and invest more time in developing informal networks.

Mar 13, 2012
Dissertation

Dissertation

Actualizing Flexible National Security Space Systems

Three essays that address some of the challenges associated with improving the flexibility of National Security Space capabilities.

Nov 15, 2011
Commentary

Commentary

Can You Hear Libya Now?

The U.S. and its allies could help Libyans communicate with the outside world by deploying cellphone base stations on aircraft or tethered balloons, write Dan Gonzales and Sarah Harting.

Mar 5, 2011
Report

Report

Le concept de communication stratégique de l'OTAN et sa pertinence pour la France

Study of NATO Strategic Communications and relevance for France. Looks at: definition, objectives, scope, terminology, command structure, resources. Concludes concept is relevant to France in crisis situations and offers ways to implement it.

Nov 12, 2010
Report

Is NATO's Policy on Strategic Communications Relevant to France?

NATO developed a policy on Strategic Communications in 2009, in part because of its difficulty in gaining the support of the Afghan population. The policy seeks to coordinate all information and communication capabilities in order to enhance the coherence of NATO's words and deeds. At the request of the Concepts, Doctrine and Experimentation Centre of the French Ministry of Defence, RAND Europe reviewed the policy and its relevance for France.

Nov 12, 2010
Report

Report

Navy Network Dependability: Models, Metrics, and Tools

Develops a framework for measuring the dependability of naval networks and describes a software tool for modeling the impact that individual network components have on overall mission operational availability.

Aug 6, 2010
Report

Report

Applications for Navy Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Evaluates the U.S. Navy's ongoing and proposed unmanned aircraft system (UAS) programs and describes the most promising applications of those UASs to the Navy's operational tasks.

Jun 8, 2010
Report

Report

Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES): Manpower, Personnel, and Training Implications

Assesses the manpower, personnel, and training implications associated with the introduction of the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) -- a common computing environment -- to U.S. Navy ships.

Dec 1, 2009
Multimedia

Forerunner of the Internet: Early RAND Work in Distributed Networks and Packet Switching (1960-1965)

At a recent RAND Alumni Association event, RAND alumnus Paul Baran discussed his work on distributed networks and packet switching.

Oct 6, 2009
Report

Report

Controlling the Cost of C4I Upgrades on Naval Ships

Looking across a set of completed C4I upgrades to U.S. Navy ships, the authors uncovered mixed evidence of cost improvement, a high level of variability in costs, and a trend toward overestimating the installation-labor costs of certain upgrades.

Sep 14, 2009
Report

Report

Networked Forces in Stability Operations: 101st Airborne Division, 3/2 and 1/25 Stryker Brigades in Northern Iraq

Compares three Army units that conducted stability operations in the same area in Iraq's northern provinces between 2003 and 2005: the 101st Airborne Division (ABD), the 3/2 Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT), and the 1/25 SBCT.

Oct 15, 2007
Report

Report

Using and Sharing Geospatial Information in the Department of Defense

The sharing of geospatial information provides the DoD both opportunities and challenges. Benefits include improved effectiveness resulting in better outcomes and efficiency in the form of reduced costs. Challenges include concern over security issues and technical difficulties in sharing information.

Aug 19, 2007
News Release

News Release

China Could Potentially Defeat U.S. in Conflict Over Taiwan By Limiting Military Access, RAND Study Finds

March 29, 2007 news release: China Could Potentially Defeat U.S. in Conflict Over Taiwan By Limiting Military Access, RAND Study Finds.

Mar 29, 2007
Report

Report

Network-Centric Operations Case Study: The Stryker Brigade Combat Team

How will the network-centric operational concepts, organizational structure, and systems of this new Army unit make it a more effective combat force?

Oct 6, 2005

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RAND Topic:
Military Communication Systems

Topic Synonyms:
Military Communications

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