Topic overview
In brief
- The U.S. Army is now allowing defense companies to test weapons at military ranges within 30 days of request submission.
- This initiative aims to reduce the previous wait time of approximately 18 months for testing opportunities.
- The Army's approach is designed to foster innovation and keep pace with advancements in the commercial sector.
Summary
In a significant move to enhance the testing of military technologies, the U.S. Army has opened its military test ranges to private defense companies. This initiative, announced by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, allows companies to secure testing opportunities within 30 days of submitting a request through an online portal. Previously, the wait time for such testing was approximately 18 months, creating a bottleneck in the development of new technologies. The Army aims to streamline this process to foster innovation and keep pace with advancements in the commercial sector.
The Army is making four stateside locations available for testing: Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, West Cibola Range at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Mississippi, and Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Michigan. Additionally, the Army is collaborating with U.S. Africa Command to provide access to the Multidomain Training Area in Morocco. This initiative is part of a broader effort to accelerate the development and delivery of critical technologies, including drones, counter-drone systems, long-range fires, and low-cost interceptors.