The US Army is moving to give defense companies faster access to military test ranges as it seeks to reduce the time required to move new weapons from development into operational service. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said companies developing missiles, drones, and other systems will be able to request access to US and allied testing facilities through a new online marketplace. According to a report by the Boston Herald, the initiative aims to provide access within 30 days of a request, compared with testing processes that can otherwise take 12 to 18 months. The effort is intended to remove acquisition and testing barriers that have slowed the evaluation of emerging technologies. Smaller and nontraditional defense companies are a particular focus as the Pentagon seeks greater industrial participation and faster development of affordable weapons. The Army said one company has already used the new system to test a cruise missile at a missile range in Morocco. Available facilities include Dugway Proving Ground, Yuma Proving Ground, Camp Grayling, and Camp Shelby. The sites offer specialized airspace, terrain, and infrastructure for testing a wide range of military systems.
