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Military Ships and Naval Vessels

Report

Supporting the Royal Australian Navy's Campaign Plan for Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Emerging Missions and Technology Trends

This report provides a high-level review of the current landscape and future trajectory of robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence from the perspective of maritime missions and enabling technologies.

Apr 4, 2022
Brochure

The Alliance Initiative: RAND's Support for the Australia–United Kingdom–United States (AUKUS) Partnership

RAND is well positioned to support an Australia-United Kingdom-United States security partnership.

Mar 29, 2022
Commentary

Making AUKUS Work

In September 2021, President Biden announced the creation of AUKUS, a trilateral, experimental arrangement among the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom focused on defense technology. The barriers to success are numerous but the partnership could offer significant opportunities.

Mar 22, 2022
Commentary

Ready for Take-Off? The Next Generation of UK Maritime Air Power

The recent deployment of a Carrier Strike Group represents a marked shift in the United Kingdom's ambitions and capabilities for power projection in both the maritime and air domains. The United Kingdom is hoping to work closely with NATO Allies to enhance the Alliance's collective ability to deploy maritime airpower as part of a flexible posture that can deter and respond to threats both close to home and far afield.

Dec 10, 2021
Report

Lessons from COVID-19 Infections on U.S. Navy Ships

The U.S. Navy's handling of the early COVID-19 outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt revealed some cracks in the service's readiness to respond to major medical events. The relative lack of severe consequences in this instance should not prevent the Navy from reviewing those shortfalls and their implications for readiness.

Sep 21, 2021
Report

Supporting the Royal Australian Navy's Strategy for Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The Royal Australian Navy has embarked on an ambitious plan to modernise its maritime capabilities to support Australia's defence strategy. What should the Navy consider when developing its robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence strategy?

Sep 14, 2021
Report

Opportunities for the Brazilian Navy to Employ Additional Unmanned Systems

This Perspective is an exploration of some of the ways the Brazilian Navy could use unmanned systems to improve effectiveness and, potentially, reduce risks and costs while meeting a wide range of demands over vast and diverse geographic areas.

Aug 10, 2021
Commentary

The Suez Grounding Was an Accident. The Next Blocked Chokepoint Might Not Be

The recent spectacle of a hulking container ship wedged into the Suez Canal is a reminder of how vulnerable maritime transportation is to blocked chokepoints. The fragility of maritime lifelines may encourage the use of this tactic in future conflict.

Mar 30, 2021
Commentary

Australian Naval Shipbuilding: First Things First

Australia will soon begin production of Attack-class submarines and Hunter-class frigates, ostensibly bringing more than $100 billion in new naval ship construction to domestic industry. While many in political and labour circles see this as a boon for Australian companies, actual domestic spending may be far less than imagined.

Jan 22, 2021
Report

Japan's Ability and Willingness to Assist U.S. Forces in the East China Sea

Should a conventional high-end contingency erupt in the East China Sea between the United States and China, Japan could support the U.S. military. But that assistance would be limited, in terms of capabilities, existing legal restrictions, and political realities.

Dec 14, 2020
Report

The United States Needs More Polar Icebreakers

Icebreaking is important for maintaining polar presence amid increasing global interest in the Arctic and Antarctic. Only two U.S. cutters are capable of operating in heavy polar ice, and both have limited life spans. What should the Coast Guard consider as it builds new icebreakers?

Dec 8, 2020
Testimony

Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Capability

During the past decade, Australia has used research to understand the cost, benefits, and challenges of national shipbuilding strategies and decisions. What recent developments should Australia's policymakers consider when planning naval ship programs?

Nov 12, 2020
Journal Article

Winning Friends and Influencing People: Naval Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics

This report provides an overview of the PLAN's approach to naval diplomacy, focusing on its activity outside maritime East Asia, in what it calls the "far seas."

Sep 11, 2020
Report

Naval Surface Fire Support: An Assessment of Requirements

The authors developed recommendations to improve existing formal requirements and technological solutions regarding naval surface fire support, a way for the U.S. Navy to provide the equivalent of artillery support for forces operating ashore.

Apr 16, 2020
Commentary

Nuclear Subs Idea Worth Floating

Whether Australia should operate and maintain nuclear-propelled attack submarines has been debated for years. While controversial to some, the option of nuclear subs in Australia's future fleet may be a useful alternative given trends in the country's security environment.

Oct 1, 2019
Report

Approaches to Strategic Sealift Readiness

The authors examine the readiness of the strategic sealift fleet and its management. They determine that many factors can be improved to increase readiness and make recommendations toward that end.

Aug 8, 2019
Report

Balancing Quality of Life with Mission Requirements: An Analysis of Personnel Tempo on U.S. Coast Guard Major Cutters

The authors analyze how U.S. Coast Guard servicemembers serving on major cutters respond to various levels of personnel tempo, as well as the effects of working conditions on these responses.

Jul 29, 2019
Report

Development of Standardized and Best Practices for the USCG Boats Acquisition Program

This report contains a review of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) boats acquisition program and the programs of similar organizations inside and outside the USCG, possible funding and structural strategies, and recommendations for USCG leadership.

Jun 24, 2019
Testimony

Anticipating Policy Options for Addressing U.S. Arctic Hurdles: Addendum

Document submitted on June 19, 2019, as an addendum to testimony before the House Transportation and InfrastructureCommittee, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on May 8, 2019.

Jun 20, 2019
Multimedia

Anticipating Policy Options for Addressing U.S. Arctic Hurdles

An overview of testimony by Abbie Tingstad presented before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on May 8, 2019.

May 8, 2019

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RAND Topic:
Military Ships and Naval Vessels

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