RAND Project AIR FORCE Annual Report 2007 - RAND Corporation

About RAND Project AIR FORCEThe mission of RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF), a division ofthe RAND Corporation and the Air Force’s federally fundedresearch and development center for studies and analysis, is to undertakean integrated program of objective, independent analysis on issuesof enduring concern to Air Force leaders. PAF addresses far-reaching andinterrelated questions: What will be the role of air and space power in thefuture security environment? How should the force be modernized tomeet changing operational demands? What should be the size and characteristicsof the workforce? How can that workforce be most effectivelyrecruited, trained, and retained? How should sustainment, acquisition,and infrastructure be streamlined to control costs?PAF carries out its research agenda in four programs that representcore competencies:Strategy and Doctrine seeks to increase knowledge and understandingof geopolitical and other problems in the national security environmentthat affect Air Force operations. PAF maintains expertise in defensestrategy; regional analysis; the objectives and tasks of evolving joint operations;and the potential contributions of air and space power to jointoperations, defense planning, and requirements for force development.Aerospace Force Development identifies and assesses ways in whichtechnological advances and new operational concepts can improve theAir Force’s ability to satisfy a range of future operational demands. Thisresearch involves assessments of technology feasibility, performance, cost,and risk. PAF assesses major force components needed in the future andthe systems and infrastructure supporting their operations.Manpower, Personnel, and Training concentrates on questions about workforcesize and composition and about the best ways to recruit, train, develop,pay, promote, and retain personnel. PAF’s research encompasses the totalworkforce: active-duty, guard, reserve, civilian, and contractor personnel.Resource Management analyzes policies and practices in the areas oflogistics and readiness; outsourcing, privatization, and contracting; theindustrial base; planning, programming, and budgeting; infrastructure;and weapon-system cost estimating. The goal of this program is to maximizethe efficiency and effectiveness of Air Force operations in a resourceconstrainedenvironment.PAF also conducts research on topics that cut across all four programs,and its research staff regularly responds to Air Force requests for helpon time-urgent problems.Annual Report 2007iii