US Army opens test ranges to small companies to try to get weapons quicker to the battlefield
- The U.S. Army is opening test ranges to private companies developing weapons to expedite procurement.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated that this initiative aims to reduce bureaucratic delays in weapon testing.
- Companies can request access to U.S. or allied test ranges through an online marketplace launched recently.
- The effort is partly a response to the rapid changes in warfare observed in conflicts like the war in Ukraine.
- The first company to utilize this program successfully tested a new cruise missile in Morocco.
The U.S. Army announced that it will open its test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones, and other weapons to facilitate quicker procurement for battlefield use. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized that this effort aims to eliminate the lengthy bureaucratic processes that typically delay military contractors, with a commitment to grant access to ranges within 30 days of a request.
This initiative comes as warfare evolves globally, particularly highlighted by the rapid advancements in drone technology seen in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Driscoll noted that the Army is responding to the changing landscape of warfare and the need for faster production of effective weapon systems.
The program allows companies to test new rockets, drones, and anti-drone weapons at five Army ranges, even if they do not have existing military contracts. The first company to take advantage of this new opportunity successfully tested a cruise missile in Morocco, demonstrating a pathway for other companies to follow.
美国陆军向小型公司开放测试场，以期更快将武器送往战场
美国陆军宣布将向开发导弹、无人机和其他武器的私营公司开放测试场，以便更快地采购战场使用的武器。陆军部长丹·德里斯科尔强调，此举旨在消除通常延迟军事承包商的冗长官僚程序，并承诺在收到请求后30天内授予访问权限。
这一举措是在全球战争演变的背景下提出的，尤其是在乌克兰战争中看到的无人机技术快速进步。德里斯科尔指出，陆军正在回应战争形势的变化和对更快生产有效武器系统的需求。
该项目允许公司在五个陆军测试场测试新型火箭、无人机和反无人机武器，即使它们没有现有的军事合同。第一家利用这一新机会的公司在摩洛哥成功测试了一种巡航导弹，展示了其他公司可以遵循的路径。