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Military Information Technology Systems

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RAND was at the forefront of early computer science and information technology innovations, building computers in the 1950s to improve researchers' military modeling capabilities and developing data communications technologies that were the forerunner of the Internet. Today, RAND researchers provide objective evaluations to military leadership and recommend policies and best practices to support continued technological innovation, adoption, and protection of critical military systems.

Report
Exploring the Civil-Military Divide over Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is anticipated to be a key capability for enabling the U.S. military to maintain its dominance. How do software engineers and other technical staff in the industry view the defense community? Are they willing to contribute to AI-related projects for military use?
May 11, 2022
Report
How Japan Can Prepare for Future Conflicts
When it comes to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, how does Japan compare to other countries? How can it deter and counter possible aggression from an adversary that is more advanced in these areas?
Jul 29, 2021

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Report
Understanding, Managing, and Reporting U.S. Space Force Readiness
As a branch of the U.S. military, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) must understand, manage, and report its readiness. The authors of this report have created a readiness framework for the USSF and instructions on how to implement it.
Mar 7, 2023
Report
How the U.S. Air Force Can Incorporate New Data Technologies into Its Talent Management System: Framework and Use Cases for Technology-Enabled Talent Management
The U.S. Air Force and the other military services have a long history of innovation in human resource management (HRM). This report describes how adopting HRM practices that are technology-enabled could lead to more-effective talent management.
Dec 21, 2022
Report
A Methodology for Quantifying the Value of Cybersecurity Investments in the Navy
Researchers developed a methodology to assess the value of resource options for U.S. Navy cybersecurity investments. The proposed methodology enables the Navy to rationalize the cost-effectiveness of potential investments within the POM process.
Sep 28, 2022
Report
Systematic Method for Prioritizing Investments in Game-Changing Technologies: The Evaluation and Comparison Process Framework
This report summarizes a framework and process to characterize and compare potential game-changing technologies based on likely operational advantage, given specific technological capabilities, challenges of implementation and cost.
Jul 18, 2022
Report
French Army Approaches to Networked Warfare
The French concept of network-centric warfare argues that information-sharing enables forces to forgo armor and mass and underpins France's push for a middle-weight force -- one that can deploy to Africa but is robust enough for higher-end threats.
Jul 6, 2022
Report
Managing Adverse and Reportable Information Regarding U.S. Military Officers: 2019 Update
The authors analyze the policies and processes for reporting unfavorable information about U.S. military officers being considered for appointments, promotions, or retirements and make recommendations for improvement.
Jul 1, 2022
Report
Leveraging Machine Learning for Operation Assessment
This report shows how machine learning (ML) can support assessment of military operations by describing and illustrating the use of ML in systematically extracting assessment-relevant insights from intelligence, operational, and media reporting.
May 9, 2022
Report
Funding Technology-Related Business Initiatives in the Department of the Air Force
This report—one in a series focused on transforming human resource management via information technology and business systems—explores challenges in the budgeting process and offers recommendations for better program advocacy.
Apr 7, 2022
Report
Cyber Mission Thread Analysis: An Implementation Guide for Process Planning and Execution
Cyber mission thread analysis, which identifies mission-critical systems in a cyber threat environment, requires a disciplined, well-planned process for its execution. This report provides a proposed guide for its planning and implementation.
Mar 10, 2022
Report
Air Force Operational Test and Training Infrastructure: Barriers to Full Implementation
This report offers stakeholders in Air Force training a framework for discerning the implications of different training infrastructure investments for assessing the readiness of individuals and aircrews.
Feb 28, 2022
Report
Wing-Level Mission Assurance for a Cyber-Contested Environment
The authors offer ways to help wings assure their missions despite cyber attacks, focusing on how wings can maintain situational awareness, defend their systems, and respond to and recover from attacks to survive and operate when under cyber attack.
Dec 9, 2021
Journal Article
Written Evidence Submitted by RAND Europe: SPDF0020 Space Defence
This document provides RAND Europe's submission of evidence in relation to the UK House of Commons Defence Select Committee's July 2021 call for evidence on space defence.
Jul 30, 2021
Commentary
How the Military Might Expand Its Cyber Skills
The U.S. military will need to improve its software fluency if it wants to be dominant on the battlefields of the future. Ensuring that future leaders in the military develop cyber skills and the ability to interface with technical experts may be increasingly important.
Apr 22, 2021
Report
Army Analytic Capabilities
The U.S. Army faces two analytical and management challenges because its data are locked away in siloed databases and it lacks access to modern analytical tools. Is there a simple and effective way to overcome these challenges?
Apr 12, 2021
Journal Article
Deceive the Enemy with Emerging Technologies
By using technology to deceive and confuse adversaries, the U.S. Navy can gain a competitive edge.
Feb 4, 2021
Research Brief
The Department of Defense's Posture for Artificial Intelligence: Assessment and Recommendations for Improvement
In this report, RAND Corporation researchers assess the state of artificial intelligence relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense and provide recommendations for the future of the department's artificial intelligence posture.
Jan 26, 2021
Report
The Composition and Employment of Software Personnel in the U.S. Department of Defense: An Initial Analysis
The authors identify and characterize a subset of the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD's) software workforce, the types of software developed within DoD, and the variety of methods DoD programs use when employing that workforce to develop software.
Dec 24, 2020
Report
Air Dominance Through Machine Learning: A Preliminary Exploration of Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Mission Planning
U.S. air superiority is being challenged by global competitors. In this report, the authors prototype a new artificial intelligence system to help develop and evaluate concepts of operations for the air domain.
May 29, 2020

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Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Thomas Goughnour

Policy Researcher

Thomas Goughnour is a policy researcher at RAND specializing in cost estimating and analysis. He has worked with the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC), Project Air Force, National Defense Research Institute, Education and Labor, Health Care, and Social and Economic Well-Being…
Krista Langeland

Senior Physical Scientist

Krista S. Langeland (she/her) is a senior physical scientist at the RAND Corporation focusing on developing frameworks and models for strategic development and decision making support. Her recent work at RAND focuses on policy and strategy in the space domain, including deterrence in space,…

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