Skip to page content

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.

Multimedia
Forerunner of the Internet: Early RAND Work in Distributed Networks and Packet Switching (1960–1965)
In this video, Paul Baran discusses his work on distributed networks and packet switching at a RAND Alumni Association event.
Oct 6, 2009
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
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
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
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
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
Report
Network-Centric Operations Case Study: Air-to-Air Combat With and Without Link 16
How much of an increase in mission effectiveness does the Link 16 communications system provide in prosecuting air-to-air combat and how can the observed increase in actual performance be attributed to the advantages of network-centric operations?
Mar 22, 2005
Report
Success of Virtual Collaboration Depends on Communications Medium
Virtual collaboration has become increasingly common in the corporate world. To improve group dynamics, businesses need a strategy for choosing the most effective medium, from videoconference to dataconference to hybrid systems.
Dec 16, 2004
Report
Examining the Army's Future Warrior: Force-on-Force Simulation of Candidate Technologies
Explores and assesses selected technology options for future dismounted soldiers that could improve mission effectiveness and reduce casualties.
Aug 15, 2004
Report
Future Army Bandwidth Needs and Capabilities
How can the Army design its future communications network to meet competing demands at a time of rapidly changing user needs and technologies?
Aug 15, 2004
Research Brief
Improving Communications Networks to Support Integrated ISR-Strike Operations
RAND Project AIR FORCE studied threats to U.S. communications networks and identified options for improving such systems against jammers and SIGINT receivers.
Jan 1, 2004
Research Brief
Broadening Army Bandwidth
Jan 1, 2004
Report
How RAND Invented the Postwar World: Satellites, Systems Analysis, Computing, the Internet -- Almost All the Defining Features of the Information Age Were Shaped in Part at the RAND Corporation
Presents a thumbnail history of the RAND Corporation, emphasizing its early accomplishments.
Dec 31, 2003
Commentary
Swarming -- The Next Face of Battle
Technological advances often give rise to new types of weapons, but the achievement of lasting breakthroughs in fighting power requires organizational and doctrinal innovation as we.
Sep 29, 2003
Report
Employing Commercial Satellite Communications: Wideband Investment Options for the Department of Defense
This report assesses military use of commercial wideband satellites by evaluating their effectiveness across several characteristics defined by the United States Space Command.
Jan 1, 2000
Report
In Athena’s Camp: Preparing for Conflict in the Information Age
The information revolution is transforming the nature of conflict across the spectrum: from open warfare, to terrorism, crime, and even radical social activism.
Jan 1, 1997
Journal Article
The Threat of High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse to Force XXI
The author gives a layman's overview of an important policy issue for U.S. national security.
Jan 1, 1997
Report
Strategic Information Warfare: A New Face of War
Future U.S. national security strategy is likely to be profoundly affected by the ongoing, rapid evolution of cyberspace -- the global information infrastructure.
Jan 1, 1996
Report
Tactical Satellite Orbital Simulation and Requirements Study
Documents the results of a preliminary analysis of space communications requirements employing scenarios for military operations in three widely separated geographical areas where U.S. contingency operations could occur.
Jan 1, 1993
Report
Cooperative Intelligence for Remotely Piloted Vehicle Fleet Control: Analysis and Simulation
Groups of agents (human or machine) can solve shared tasks effectively by applying cooperative intelligence.
Jan 1, 1986

Previous
1
2
3
4
Next

RAND Topic:
Military Communication Systems

Topic Synonyms:
Military Communications

Research conducted by