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 missiles and drones.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated this initiative aims to cut the red tape that delays military contracts.
- Companies can request access to test ranges within 30 days through a new online marketplace.
- The program allows companies to test new weapons even without a military contract.
- This effort is partly in response to the changing nature of warfare and the depletion of U.S. weapon stockpiles.
The U.S. Army announced that it is opening test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones, and other weapons to expedite their procurement for battlefield use. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized that this initiative aims to reduce the months or years of bureaucratic delays that typically hinder military contractors.
Driscoll stated that companies can gain access to U.S. and allied test ranges within 30 days of making a request through a new online marketplace. He highlighted the urgency of getting new technologies into the hands of soldiers, noting that the current timeline for testing can take 12 to 18 months.
This announcement comes amid evolving warfare dynamics globally, including the use of drones in conflicts such as those involving Iran and Ukraine. The Army's initiative reflects a push to incentivize smaller companies to enter the defense market and produce effective weapons quickly, especially as the Pentagon faces challenges related to its weapon stockpiles due to ongoing conflicts.
美国陆军向小型公司开放测试场，以加快武器部署
美国陆军宣布，向开发导弹、无人机和其他武器的私营公司开放测试场，以加快其在战场上的采购。陆军部长丹·德里斯科尔强调，此举旨在减少通常阻碍军事承包商的繁文缛节，缩短几个月或几年的延误。
德里斯科尔表示，公司可以通过新的在线市场在30天内获得美国及其盟国的测试场访问权限。他强调，尽快将新技术交给士兵的紧迫性，指出目前的测试时间表可能需要12到18个月。
这一公告是在全球战争动态不断演变的背景下发布的，包括伊朗和乌克兰冲突中无人机的使用。陆军的这一举措反映出推动小型公司进入国防市场、快速生产有效武器的努力，尤其是在五角大楼面临因持续冲突而导致的武器库存挑战时。