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Ships

Research Brief
Tallying the U.S.-China Military Scorecard
A set of “scorecards” assesses the relative capabilities of U.S. and Chinese military forces in diverse types of conflict, at varying distances from the Chinese mainland, and at different points in time.
Sep 14, 2015
Report
China's Military Modernization Increasingly Challenges U.S. Defense Capabilities in Asia
Although China continues to lag behind the United States in terms of aggregate military hardware and operational skills, it has improved its capabilities relative to those of the U.S. in many critical areas. Moreover, China does not need to catch up fully in order to challenge U.S. ability to conduct effective military operations near the Chinese mainland.
Sep 14, 2015
News Release
China's Military Modernization Increasingly Challenges U.S. Defense Capabilities in Asia
Although China continues to lag behind the United States in terms of aggregate military hardware and operational skills, it has improved its capabilities relative to those of the U.S. in many critical areas. Moreover, China does not need to catch up fully in order to challenge U.S. ability to conduct effective military operations near the Chinese mainland.
Sep 14, 2015
Commentary
China's Airfield Construction at Fiery Cross Reef in Context: Catch-Up or Coercion?
Even if China really sees itself as undertaking legitimate activities to protect its rightful interests, it is not surprising that its rival claimants, as well as the United States and other countries in the region, see Beijing's island building activities as efforts to improve China's abilities to bully its neighbors.
Aug 11, 2015
Tool
Allocating Marine Expeditionary Unit Equipment to Minimize Shortfalls: Third Edition
In many cases, the available space on a Marine Expeditionary Unit's ships falls far short of what is needed to transport the full set of required equipment. A RAND-developed software tool was designed to help limit the effects of these shortfalls.
May 21, 2015
Commentary
China's Island-Building Stirs Fears, but Creates Openings for the United States
News of proposed Navy patrols nearby disputed islands claimed by China suggests that the United States is toughening its response to Beijing's assertive territorial claims in the South China Sea.
May 18, 2015
Report
Weighing Options for Australia's Naval Shipbuilding
Australia is examining an enterprise-level naval shipbuilding plan. All three options—sustaining a domestic naval shipbuilding industry, buying ships from foreign shipbuilders, or building ships partially in-country and partially overseas—have complex consequences and trade-offs.
Apr 15, 2015
Report
The Economic Consequences of Investing in Shipbuilding: Case Studies in the United States and Sweden
This report assesses the economic impacts that a shipbuilder has on its local community and region. The authors utilize a case study methodology to examine two U.S. shipbuilders and the Saab Aeronautics Gripen program in Sweden.
Apr 15, 2015
Report
Options for Australia's Next Generation of Naval Surface Combatants
Researchers answer questions regarding ship design and build options available to the Royal Australia Navy; various phases, options, and decisions; and aspects that can contribute to the success of Australia's major ship acquisition program.
Dec 22, 2014
Testimony
The Role of Maritime and Air Power in the DoD's Third Offset Strategy
Russia and China have been investing in military modernization programs to blunt the U.S. military's technological edge, fielding advanced aircraft, submarines, and both longer range and more accurate missiles. The DoD's Third Offset Strategy is a much-needed initiative to identify and invest in innovative ways to sustain and advance America's military dominance for the 21st century.
Dec 2, 2014
Blog
China Unlikely to Blink in Maritime Dispute with Vietnam over Oil Rig
Tensions are rising in the South China Sea, where China moved a state-owned oil rig, reportedly accompanied by six warships, into disputed waters last month, triggering anti-Chinese demonstrations in Vietnam that resulted in four deaths.
Jun 12, 2014
Commentary
Death Is Never Far When You Are at Sea
The U.S. marine safety record is impressive, arguably the best in the world. Yet, as the heartbreaking example of the Sewol demonstrates, the United States must never become complacent.
May 12, 2014
Commentary
Crimea, Climate Change, and U.S.-Russian Relations: A Perfect Storm
Russia possesses the world's most Arctic shoreline, water, and operating resources. But the United States is also an Arctic nation, even if much of the American public tends to under-appreciate this special status.
May 6, 2014
Report
Developing Navy Capability to Recover Forces in Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Hazard Environments
How do you recover and decontaminate amphibious forces if they are attacked with chemical, biological, or radiological weapons while ashore?
Jan 28, 2014
Journal Article
Strengthening the Shipbuilding Industry
The U.S. Navy and the shipbuilding industrial base on which it depends on are approaching a critical juncture. Unless the Navy and U.S. shipbuilders adopt an integrated set of broad management strategies the United States runs the risk of shortchanging its capabilities to design and produce naval warships for several generations.
Dec 1, 2013
Report
Employing Land-Based Anti-Ship Missiles in the Western Pacific
This report illustrates the potential strategic advantages for the United States of a land-based anti-ship missile capability that could be deployed to the Western Pacific in the event of a conflict with China.
Nov 1, 2013
Report
U.S. Navy Employment Options for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
In what ways, and to what degree are unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) suitable for supporting U.S. Navy missions and functions? This report briefly characterizes the current and emerging USV marketplaces to provide a baseline for near-term capabilities, describes USV concepts of employment to support diverse U.S. Navy missions and functions, and evaluates these concepts of employment to identify specific missions and functions for which they are highly suitable.
Nov 1, 2013
Commentary
By Land and by Sea
There are good reasons for the United States to rethink how it counterbalances Iran, reassures local allies, and projects power with fewer resources. However, tying down large numbers of fighter aircraft in the Gulf is likely only to exacerbate old problems and create new ones.
Jul 22, 2013
Report
Assessing Aegis Program Transition to an Open-Architecture Model
To reduce costs and take advantage of commercial technology, the U.S. Navy is pursuing open-architecture software and other improvements to its Aegis combat system. This report examines the potential benefits and challenges of this new approach.
May 3, 2013
Report
RAND NSRD Annual Report 2011-2012
Surveys the work of the RAND National Security Research Division from the spring of 2011 through the winter of 2012.
Jun 8, 2012

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RAND Topic:
Ships

Topic Synonyms:
Boats;
Watercraft

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