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 initiative aims to reduce the bureaucratic delays in acquiring new weapons.
- Companies can request access to test ranges within 30 days through a new online marketplace.
- The program allows companies to test new technologies even without existing military contracts.
- This effort is partly driven by lessons learned from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The U.S. Army announced it is opening test ranges to private companies to facilitate the quicker acquisition of missiles, drones, and other weapons. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll explained that this initiative is intended to cut down the lengthy bureaucratic processes that often delay military contracts.
Companies can now request access to U.S. or allied test ranges within 30 days through an online marketplace that was launched recently. This program allows firms to test new technologies, such as rockets and anti-drone systems, even if they do not currently have military contracts.
The decision to make test ranges more accessible is influenced by the rapid changes in warfare observed globally, particularly in Ukraine. Driscoll emphasized the Army's commitment to breaking down barriers that have existed for decades in the procurement process, aiming to encourage smaller companies to innovate and contribute to military capabilities.
美国陆军向小型公司开放测试场，以期更快将武器送上战场
美国陆军宣布，向私营公司开放测试场，以促进导弹、无人机和其他武器的快速采购。陆军部长丹·德里斯科尔解释称，此举旨在缩短通常延误军事合同的冗长官僚程序。
公司现在可以通过最近启动的在线市场在30天内申请访问美国或其盟友的测试场。该项目允许公司测试新技术，例如火箭和反无人机系统，即使他们目前没有军事合同。
开放测试场的决定受到全球战争快速变化的影响，特别是在乌克兰。德里斯科尔强调，陆军致力于打破存在了数十年的采购过程中的障碍，旨在鼓励小型公司创新并为军事能力做出贡献。