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, drones, and other weapons.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated that this effort aims to reduce the bureaucratic delays in acquiring new military technologies.
- Companies can gain access to U.S. or allied test ranges within 30 days of requesting through a new online marketplace.
- The initiative is partly inspired by the rapid advancements in weapon systems observed during the Ukraine conflict.
- The program allows companies to test new military technologies even without existing military contracts.
The U.S. Army announced that it is opening test ranges to private companies in an effort to expedite the acquisition of new weapons for battlefield use. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized that the initiative aims to cut down the lengthy bureaucratic processes that have traditionally hindered military contractors.
Companies can now access U.S. or allied test ranges within 30 days of submitting a request through a newly launched online marketplace. Driscoll noted that the current timeline for testing new technologies can take 12 to 18 months, which he deemed insufficient for enhancing soldier safety and effectiveness.
This decision comes amid evolving warfare dynamics globally, particularly influenced by the conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing challenges faced by the U.S. military regarding its weapon stockpiles. The Army is encouraging smaller companies to participate in this program to foster innovation and increase the speed of weapons production.
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，向私人公司开放测试场，以加快新武器的获取，供战场使用。陆军部长丹·德里斯科尔强调，这一举措旨在减少传统上阻碍军事承包商的冗长官僚程序。
公司现在可以通过新推出的在线市场，在提交请求后的30天内获得美国或盟国测试场的使用权。德里斯科尔指出，测试新技术的当前时间表可能需要12到18个月，他认为这对增强士兵的安全性和有效性来说是不够的。
这一决定是在全球战争动态不断演变的背景下做出的，特别是受到乌克兰冲突和美国军方在武器库存方面面临的持续挑战的影响。陆军鼓励小型公司参与这一项目，以促进创新并加快武器生产的速度。