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 military technologies.
- Companies can gain access to testing facilities within 30 days of submitting a request through a new online marketplace.
- The program is designed to encourage innovation and production of affordable weapons in response to changing warfare dynamics.
- The first company to utilize this program successfully tested a new cruise missile at an Army range in Morocco.
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 initiative aims to cut down the months and sometimes years of red tape that typically hinder military contractors.
Companies can now gain access to ranges in the U.S. or those belonging to allies abroad within 30 days of making a request through an online marketplace that went live recently. 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 announcement comes amid evolving warfare scenarios globally, including the conflict in Ukraine and the U.S. military's diminished stockpiles of advanced weapons due to ongoing engagements. The Army's new approach is intended to incentivize smaller companies to enter the market and produce effective weapons quickly, with the goal of improving the capabilities of U.S. forces.
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，以加快这些武器在战场上的采购。陆军部长丹·德里斯科尔强调，此举旨在减少通常阻碍军事承包商的数月甚至数年的官僚程序。
公司现在可以在提交请求后的30天内获得美国或其盟友的测试场的使用权，申请通过最近上线的在线市场进行。德里斯科尔指出，目前测试新技术的时间表可能需要12到18个月，他认为这对于提高士兵的安全性和有效性来说是不够的。
这一公告是在全球战争形势不断演变的背景下发布的，包括乌克兰冲突和由于持续作战导致美国军方先进武器库存减少。陆军的新方法旨在激励小型公司进入市场，快速生产有效武器，目的是提升美国军队的能力。