Operations Research

Commentary

Sep 23, 2024

Enhancing Department of the Air Force Combat Support Analytic Capabilities: Approaches to Better Inform Force Employment, Development, and Design Decisions

In this paper, the authors consider how iterative and integrated enterprise-wide combat support analyses can be used to improve critical operations planning and execution decisions regarding force, employment, development, and design.

Report

Aug 8, 2024

An F-35 simulator, photo by the U.S. Embassy, Israel

Harnessing Constructive Simulations for Reinforcement Learning

This report presents how RAND researchers have developed a flexible software harness that enables the use of state-of-the-art reinforcement learning methods in many existing constructive simulations without requiring significant additional coding.

Report

Jan 23, 2024

F-16A, F-15C and F-15E flying during Desert Storm, photo by U.S. Air Force

Understanding the Limits of Artificial Intelligence for Warfighters: Volume 5, Mission Planning

This report presents a description of how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to conduct mission planning and how AI methods compare with more-traditional operations research approaches.

Report

Nov 8, 2021

Abstract background of spheres and wire-frame landscape, photo by gremlin/Getty Images

Graph Theoretic Algorithms for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Program: Prioritization and Scheduling

The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program is large and complex and has many interdependent tasks that must proceed efficiently. The authors of this report present novel methods to help program managers avoid rework and reduce schedule risk.

Journal Article

Sep 17, 2021

Reforming the Teaching and Conducting of Policy Studies to Deal Better with Complex Systems

The teaching and conduct of policy analysis needs updating to account better for the special challenges of social problems occurring in complex adaptive systems.

Report

Jan 20, 2021

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Feb. 1, 2021. The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system aircraft with an integrated command and control battle management surveillance, target detection and tracking platform, photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes/U.S. Air Force

Measuring Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Effectiveness at the United States Central Command

The authors developed a repeatable process to measure the effectiveness of U.S. Central Command intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations; evaluate current performance; and plan for, influence, and resource future operations.

Journal Article

Jul 10, 2018

Comparing Networked and Linear Risk Assessments: From Theory to Evidence

Assessing whether networked risk assessments match the actual cascades that occur during disasters can provide a process for further refinement of assessment tools by uncovering their strengths and weaknesses.

Report

Jun 27, 2016

A test plane in a wind tunnel at NASA's Ames Research Center

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.

Report

Mar 20, 2014

Analysis to Inform Defense Planning Despite Austerity

Defense analysis can better serve policymakers by exploiting improvements in the state of the art and by rediscovering and supplementing classic principles. These relate to multiple objectives and hedging against uncertainty.

How to Support Victims of Elder Mistreatment

Climate Change Affects Health and Will Increase Drug Demand

Iran's Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Year

A Russia–North Korea Alliance in the Works? Don't Be So Sure

The Math Equity Equation

The Policy Currents Podcast

Getting to Know Military Caregivers and Their Needs

Managing Escalation in Crisis and War

Assessing and Articulating the Wider Benefits of Research

Improving Access to Early Childhood Education

Operations Research

Operations Research

Graph Theoretic Algorithms for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Program

Measuring Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Effectiveness at the United States Central Command

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Enhancing Department of the Air Force Combat Support Analytic Capabilities: Approaches to Better Inform Force Employment, Development, and Design Decisions

Harnessing Constructive Simulations for Reinforcement Learning

Understanding the Limits of Artificial Intelligence for Warfighters: Volume 5, Mission Planning

RAND — Making a Difference

Graph Theoretic Algorithms for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Program: Prioritization and Scheduling

Reforming the Teaching and Conducting of Policy Studies to Deal Better with Complex Systems

Measuring Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Effectiveness at the United States Central Command

A Brief History of the RAND Corporation

Comparing Networked and Linear Risk Assessments: From Theory to Evidence

Expanding Flight Research: Capabilities, Needs, and Management Options for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Chinese Attacks on U.S. Air Bases in Asia: An Assessment of Relative Capabilities, 1996–2017

Analysis to Inform Defense Planning Despite Austerity

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