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Missiles

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Challenges of Deploying Ground-Based Intermediate-Range Missiles on Allied Lands
The United States has been hoping to develop and deploy ground-based intermediate-range missiles to the Indo-Pacific. But what is the likelihood of its treaty allies in the region—Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand—hosting these systems? Are there alternatives to permanent basing?
Apr 28, 2022
Commentary
U.S. Decision on ASAT Testing a Positive Step Towards Space Sustainability
The United States recently committed not to conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing. This sets an important example others might follow and takes an important first step towards a binding, international ban.
Apr 21, 2022

Explore Missiles

Report
Hypersonic Missile Nonproliferation
Hypersonic missiles are a new class of threat that could penetrate most missile defenses and compress the timelines for a nation under attack to respond. The United States, Russia, and China should agree not to export hypersonic missile systems or components to other nations.
Sep 27, 2017
Commentary
Beyond Strategic Patience with North Korea: What Comes Next?
North Korea says that nuclear weapons are essential to regime survival. The United States should figure out how to persuade the North Korean regime that it is less likely to survive by posing a nuclear threat than by cooperating with the international community.
Sep 8, 2017
Commentary
Why THAAD Is Needed in Korea
As the threat from North Korea has been developing over the last 30 years, the U.S. has responsibly deployed missile defenses in Korea to protect its forces and South Koreans. Today, North Korea's medium- and intermediate-range missiles require a defense able to handle higher missile re-entry speeds like the THAAD system.
Aug 7, 2017
Multimedia
North Korea's Continuous Provocations
In this July 17th, 2017 congressional briefing, Bruce W. Bennett, Senior International/Defense Researcher, discusses North Korea's nuclear missile programs, its changing relationship with China, and implications for U.S. policy.
Jul 17, 2017
Commentary
A Surgical Strike Against North Korea? Not a Viable Option
North Korea's July 4 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile that could hit American soil has renewed talk of military intervention. But an effective limited military strike with minimal collateral damage and no escalation simply won't work.
Jul 14, 2017
Report
How to Counter Aggression When Shielded by A2/AD Capabilities
Land-based, multi-domain anti-access/area denial forces can play a role in helping the United States and its allies and partners deter or defeat aggression in the western Pacific, European littoral areas, and the Persian Gulf.
May 22, 2017
Research Brief
Domestic Factors Could Accelerate the Evolution of China's Nuclear Posture
This brief discusses how domestic factors could influence China's evolving nuclear deterrent.
Apr 20, 2017
Commentary
(Withholding) Judgment of the U.S. Missile Strike on Syria
Will the U.S. missile strike in Syria constrain the Assad regime from future chemical weapons use? Rather than pass judgment, analysts should establish the benchmarks by which they will assess this decision once the facts are in.
Apr 19, 2017
Commentary
Five Dead-Ends — and One Risky Opportunity — When Trump and Xi Talk North Korea
Among President Trump's options, proposing a deal that gives the North Korean elite an alternative to its murderous and unstable leader could be the safest and most realistic way to sheath North Korean nuclear weapons and safeguard the American people.
Apr 10, 2017
Commentary
Murder, Missiles, and Messages from North Korea
Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile on February 12 — one day before Kim Jong Nam, half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was murdered in Malaysia — and four more on March 6. What would lead North Korea to carry out these provocations?
Mar 24, 2017
Report
China's Evolving Approach to Nuclear Deterrence
China's nuclear posture has been consistent since 1964. But in recent years, China has increased the numbers of its missiles and warheads and improved the quality of its force. Understanding its future nuclear direction is critical to shaping U.S. strategy.
Mar 15, 2017
Testimony
How to Restore the Power Projection Capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces
To help put the United States back on a path toward fielding forces that can defeat any adversary, the DoD needs money and insight. The latter can help inform decisionmaking. The former would let the DoD develop, acquire, and field new systems and postures.
Feb 16, 2017
Report
Smarter Power, Stronger Partners, Volume II: Trends in Force Projection Against Potential Adversaries
This book describes scenarios to test whether the anti-access and area-denial threat to U.S. force projection is growing more severe. They describe plausible U.S. and adversary military actions given current operational capabilities and approaches.
Feb 8, 2017
Commentary
Trump Should Confront Kim Over ICBM Tests
Whether successful or not, an ICBM test by North Korea would be very much against U.S. interests and President-elect Trump should act to counter it as early as possible. A turn to the basics of deterrence would be the path most likely to succeed.
Jan 6, 2017
Commentary
The Future of Hypersonic Weapons
Russia and China appear to be developing hypersonic weapons. But the United States should make decisions about whether to develop its own hypersonic weapons in a vacuum.
Oct 20, 2016
Commentary
How Do Chinese Surface-to-Air Missile Forces Train?
Surface-to-air missile (SAM) forces play a crucial role in Chinese military planning. Recent training activity indicates that PLAAF SAM units' operational readiness and capabilities may vary depending on their location and the time of year.
Sep 6, 2016
Report
Training the People's Liberation Army Air Force Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Forces
This report analyzes key trends and themes in China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) surface-to-air missile (SAM) unit training.
Aug 30, 2016
Report
Weighing the Potential Value of Theater Ballistic Missiles in the Pacific
The U.S. Department of State concluded in 2014 that Russia is in violation of its obligations under the INF Treaty. If the treaty cannot be revived, the U.S. Army should assess the value of adding conventional land-based theater ballistic missiles to its portfolio of strike capabilities.
Jun 28, 2016
Report
Current and Future Risks of Inadvertent U.S.-Russian Nuclear War
Understanding how miscalculations and misperceptions can lead to the use of nuclear weapons is an important step toward reducing the probability of an inadvertent nuclear conflict between the United States and Russia.
Jun 9, 2016
Commentary
Beijing Ups the Ante in South China Sea Dispute with HQ-9 Deployment
China's recent deployment of HQ-9 missiles to the Paracel Islands signals its determination to consolidate its gains in the South China Sea, regardless of criticism by the United States and its allies.
Mar 29, 2016

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Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

J.D. Williams

Senior International and Defense Policy Researcher

J.D. Williams is a senior defense policy researcher at the RAND Corporation focusing on national security, intelligence, and military issues. His recent work encompasses investigation of new concepts for amphibious and naval warfare, Russian and Chinese military strategy, and intelligence…
Cortez A. Cooper III

Senior International/Defense Researcher

Cortez A. Cooper III is a senior international/defense researcher at the RAND Corporation and an affiliate faculty member at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He provides assessments of security challenges across political, military, economic, cultural, and informational arenas for a broad range…

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