Edward R. (Ted) Harshberger

Edward R. (Ted) Harshberger is a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy and a Senior Fellow at RAND Corporation. He concurrently serves as a senior counselor at the Defense Concepts Organization and a non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). His career includes multiple stints at RAND, including roles as Vice President and Director of RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF), Director of the Aerospace Force Development Program, and Associate Director of Operations and Planning in the RAND National Security Research Division. From 1993–1995, he served under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act at the U.S. Air Force Headquarters as a special assistant.

Harshberger has held executive roles in the private sector, including Vice President of Studies and Analysis at Lockheed Martin (2021–2023), Director of Corporate Strategic Development at Northrop Grumman (2006–2011), and Senior Director for Global Operations at Harman International (2011–2012). His educational background includes a B.A. with Honors in Economics and Physical Chemistry from Williams College, and a master’s and doctorate in Policy Analysis from the RAND School of Public Policy. He also completed executive education at UCLA Anderson School of Management.

His research focuses on military technology, aircraft strategy, defense spending, and air defense systems. Notable contributions include analyzing drone proliferation, defense supply chain resilience, and the strategic role of information in modern warfare. His work bridges academia, government, and industry, providing actionable insights on U.S. defense policy and international security dynamics.