Recent News
New Approaches to Planning, Executing, and Assessing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations - May 8, 2008
The U.S. Air Force has greatly increased the number of operational surveillance sensors and its ability to process data from these sensors. However, along with the increased number of sensors comes an increase in the complexity of the tasking of these assets.
Research Brief
Real Roles, Missions Debate - Apr. 7, 2008
More than six years after Sept. 11, 2001, the Bush administration has yet to strike a durable balance in allocating resources among efforts to defeat terrorist groups and more familiar military missions against threats by state adversaries. This is the subject of a commentary by Andrew R. Hoehn and David Ochmanek for the Washington Times.
Read Commentary 
Full Document
Weapon System Cost Growth Remains High - September 7, 2007
Despite acquisition reforms, the development cost growth of military systems has not been reduced. DoD can and should do better at controlling cost growth and should pay special attention to the cost estimates on which budgets are based.
Research Brief
Skills May Offset Lack of Expertise in Senior Air Force Jobs - August 29, 2007
It is not always possible to fill senior Air Force jobs with leaders who have expertise in the specific area. However, certain skills–called compensating competencies–can help leaders become engaged and begin adding value to their organizations.
Research Brief
Ungoverned Territories: A Unique Front in the War on Terror - August 24, 2007
9/11 demonstrated how terrorists can use remote territories to mount devastating attacks. Understanding ungoverned territories can help the United States and its friends and allies develop more effective strategies to mitigate these threats.
Research Brief
News Release
United States Should Reassess Priorities, Next Steps in Iraq- August 9, 2007
U.S. political persuasion, security policies, and economic assistance in Iraq should focus on reducing sectarian and other violence. The United States should also consider its next steps in the event that violence does or does not decline.
Research Brief
Counterinsurgency Ops May Require Modernized Airlift Fleet - August 1, 2007
The United States should rely largely on its general airlift forces to perform counterinsurgency missions. But the stress on aging fleets and the distinctive challenges of certain operations may require reinvestment and some realignment of airlift forces.
Research Brief
A Guide to Eliciting Expert Judgments for Cost Estimates - July 19, 2007
The cost of developing new aircraft or satellite systems is inherently uncertain. RAND Project AIR FORCE offers a procedure for eliciting expert judgments and expressing
uncertainty as a “probability distribution” over a range of possible costs.
Research Brief
Back to Top