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 announced that this initiative aims to reduce bureaucratic delays in acquiring new weapons.
- Companies can access U.S. or allied test ranges within 30 days of requesting through an online marketplace.
- The program allows companies to test new technologies even without existing military contracts.
- This move is partly influenced by the rapid changes in warfare observed in conflicts like the Ukraine war.
The U.S. Army announced that it is opening test ranges to private companies developing new weapons systems, including missiles and drones. This initiative is intended to expedite the acquisition process by cutting through bureaucratic red tape that can delay testing and procurement for months or even years.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized that companies will be able to access U.S. or allied test ranges within 30 days of submitting a request through a newly launched online marketplace. This change aims to encourage innovation and participation from smaller companies in the defense sector.
The program allows companies to test their products without needing existing military contracts, thereby broadening opportunities for innovation in military technology. The Army's decision is influenced by recent conflicts, particularly the rapid advancements in warfare seen in Ukraine, which have highlighted the need for quicker deployment of effective weapon systems.
美国陆军向小型公司开放测试场，以期更快将武器投入战场
美国陆军宣布，向开发新武器系统（包括导弹和无人机）的私营公司开放测试场。此举旨在通过减少官僚程序，缩短测试和采购的时间，帮助更快获取武器。
陆军部长丹·德里斯科尔强调，公司可以在提交申请后30天内访问美国或盟国的测试场，申请通过新上线的在线市场进行。这一变化旨在鼓励小型公司参与国防领域的创新。
该计划允许公司在没有现有军事合同的情况下测试其产品，从而拓宽了军事技术创新的机会。陆军的这一决定受到最近冲突的影响，特别是乌克兰战争中看到的快速战争进展，突显了快速部署有效武器系统的需求。