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 aims to cut the red tape that typically delays military contracts by months or years.
- Companies can request access to test ranges within 30 days through a new online marketplace.
- The initiative is partly influenced by the rapid advancements in weapon production observed during the Ukraine conflict.
- The first company to utilize the program successfully tested a new cruise missile in Morocco.
The U.S. Army announced that it is opening up test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones, and other weapons in an effort to expedite their acquisition for battlefield use. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated that this initiative aims to reduce the lengthy approval processes that often hinder military contractors, allowing companies to gain access to test facilities within 30 days of their request.
Driscoll highlighted the need for quicker production and testing in light of evolving warfare tactics seen in recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. The Army's new policy is designed to encourage smaller companies to enter the defense market by providing them with the necessary resources to test their innovations.
The first company to take advantage of this program, Covenant Industries, successfully tested its Anthem missile at an Army range in Morocco. This new approach is expected to facilitate the development of more effective and affordable weapons, ultimately enhancing the safety and effectiveness of U.S. soldiers on the battlefield.
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、无人机及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·德里斯科尔表示，此举旨在减少通常会阻碍军事承包商的漫长审批流程，使公司在申请后的30天内获得测试设施的访问权限。
德里斯科尔强调，考虑到近期冲突中出现的战争战术变化，包括乌克兰战争，快速生产和测试的必要性。陆军的新政策旨在鼓励小型公司进入国防市场，为他们提供测试创新所需的资源。
首家利用该计划的公司Covenant Industries在摩洛哥的陆军测试场成功测试了其Anthem导弹。这种新方法预计将促进更有效且更具成本效益的武器的开发，最终提高美国士兵在战场上的安全性和有效性。