The U.S. Army has announced that it is opening up its test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones, and other weapons. This move aims to cut down the time it takes to get these weapons to the battlefield.
Streamlining the Development Process
According to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, the current process can take 12 to 18 months, which is not sufficient. The Army is now granting companies access to its test ranges in the U.S. and abroad within 30 days of their request.
The first company to take advantage of this new program has already tested a new cruise missile at the Army’s missile test range in Morocco. This program allows drone and missile companies to use five Army ranges to test new rockets, drones, and anti-drone weapons, even if they do not have a military contract.
Addressing the Need for Faster Weapon Development
The conflict with Iran has used up a significant portion of the U.S. military’s stockpiles of advanced interceptors, such as Patriot and THAAD missiles. The Army’s effort to get weapons faster to the battlefield is a response to this need.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
