Project Air Force
MISSION DESCRIPTION Formally designated mission-critical, RAND Project Air Force (PAF) is the Department of the Air Force's (DAF's) sole Congressionally Mandated Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for studies and analysis. For 78 years, PAF has provided essential, objective analysis to inform DAF and Congressional decisions, with a research agenda directed by the DAF's highest levels, including the Tri-Chair Steering Group chaired by the USecAF, VCSAF, and VCSO. PAF provides a return on investment that far exceeds its costs. Its actionable recommendations have saved billions of dollars while maximizing lethality and readiness. Recent examples include saving $17 billion from an airlift recapitalization strategy and preventing a $30 billion budgetary spike through analysis of the Future Aerial Refueling Enterprise. PAF research informs the DAF's most crucial decisions, from Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) force design and cost-effective air base resilience to improving space acquisition. Notably, PAF's latest work on Dynamic Space Operations (DSO) directly influenced the VCSO's strategy for refueling spacecraft and is being used to formally respond to a FY 2026 Congressional requirement. This program is in Budget Activity 6, RDT&E Management Support because this budget activity includes research, development, test and evaluation efforts and funds to sustain and/or modernize the installations or operations required for general research, development, test and evaluation.
FY2027 planned work Need to continue analytical research with China/Russia focus at SecAF requested level of funding.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease consistent with reductions to FFRDCs across the DAF.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue analytical research with China/Russia focus at SecAF requested level of funding.
FY2027 planned work Continue analytical research within this program's core competencies focusing on evolving security challenges; power projection; expeditionary operations; and the changing roles of air, space, and cyber power in current and future operations.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease consistent with reductions to FFRDCs across the DAF.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue analytical research within this program's core competencies focusing on evolving security challenges; power projection; expeditionary operations; and the changing roles of air, space, and cyber power in current and future operations
FY2027 planned work Continue analytical research within this program's core competencies focusing on operational analysis of technology feasibility, performance, cost, and risk in areas of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, mobility, long-range strike, combat air forces, command and control, space, cyber, and nuclear.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease consistent with reductions to FFRDCs across the DAF.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue analytical research within this program's core competencies focusing on operational analysis of technology feasibility, performance, cost, and risk in areas of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, mobility, long-range strike, combat air forces, command and control, space, cyber, and nuclear.
FY2027 planned work Continued research and analysis for the DAF focusing on issues of personnel recruitment, training, readiness, retention and well-being, force readiness, and other issues.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease consistent with reductions to FFRDCs across the DAF.
FY2026 plans — current year Continued analytical research within program core competencies focusing on workforce size and composition, how to define, develop, sustain, renew, deliver, and coordinate critical workforces.
FY2027 planned work Continued analytical research within this program's core competencies focusing on logistics and readiness; outsourcing, privatization, and contracting; the defense industrial base; planning, programming, and budgeting; infrastructure and its resilience; energy; and weapon-system cost estimating.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease consistent with reductions to FFRDCs across the DAF.
FY2026 plans — current year Continued analytical research within this program's core competencies focusing on logistics and readiness; outsourcing, privatization, and contracting; the defense industrial base; planning, programming, and budgeting; infrastructure and its resilience; energy; and weapon-system cost estimating.
FY2027 planned work Continue conducting analytical research across a broad spectrum of urgent issues and concerns—integrative, agile research/direct support.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease consistent with reductions to FFRDCs across the DAF.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue conducting analytical research across a broad spectrum of urgent issues and concerns—integrative, agile research/direct support.