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 this initiative aims to reduce the bureaucratic delays in acquiring new military technologies.
- Companies can access U.S. and allied test ranges within 30 days of submitting a request through a new online marketplace.
- The Army's move is partly influenced by the rapid advancements in weapon systems observed during the Ukraine conflict.
- The program allows companies without military contracts to test new technologies on five Army ranges.
CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. Army announced that it is opening up test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones, and other weapons to expedite their acquisition for battlefield use. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized that this effort aims to cut down on the months or years of red tape that often delays military contractors from testing their products.
Driscoll stated that companies can gain access to ranges in the U.S. or those belonging to allies within 30 days of making a request through an online marketplace that was launched on Friday. He noted that the time it takes for companies to test new technologies that could enhance soldier safety and effectiveness is currently too long.
The initiative is a response to the evolving nature of warfare, particularly highlighted by the rapid advancements in drone technology seen in conflicts like Ukraine. The Army is also addressing the depletion of its advanced weapon stockpiles due to ongoing military engagements, including the conflict with Iran.
The first company to utilize this new program has successfully tested a cruise missile at the Army's missile test range in Morocco. This program allows companies without existing military contracts to test new rockets, drones, and anti-drone weapons on Army ranges, thereby promoting innovation in military technology.
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
密歇根州格雷林营（美联社）——美国陆军宣布，正在向开发导弹、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，这一举措旨在减少通常延迟军事承包商测试产品的几个月或几年的官僚程序。
德里斯科尔表示，公司可以在提交请求后的30天内，通过周五推出的在线市场获得美国或其盟友的测试场的访问权限。他指出，目前公司测试能够增强士兵安全和效能的新技术所需的时间过长。
这一举措是对战争性质变化的回应，特别是在乌克兰等冲突中所见的无人机技术迅速发展的突出表现。陆军还在应对由于持续军事行动（包括与伊朗的冲突）导致的先进武器库存的减少。
第一家利用这一新计划的公司已在陆军位于摩洛哥的导弹测试场成功测试了一种巡航导弹。该计划允许没有现有军事合同的公司在陆军测试场上测试新火箭、无人机和反无人机武器，从而促进军事技术的创新。