The U.S. Army is significantly reducing the time it takes for defense companies to test new weapons and technologies, offering "concierge" access to military test ranges.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll announced Friday that companies can secure testing opportunities within 30 days of submitting a request, a dramatic decrease from the typical 18-month wait. The initiative, launched via an online portal at testrange.army.mil, aims to break down bureaucratic barriers that have slowed technological advancement.
"We just had to get out of our own way," Driscoll stated. The 30-day clock begins upon request submission.
This move is part of a larger effort to accelerate the development and deployment of crucial technologies, including drones, counter-drone systems, long-range fires, and low-cost interceptors. Driscoll highlighted the innovation seen in Ukraine, noting the need for the U.S. military to match the speed of the commercial sector in developing new capabilities.
Four stateside Army locations are being opened for industry 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 working with U.S. Africa Command to provide industry access to the Multidomain Training Area in Morocco.
Companies can apply for testing slots through the new portal and will be assigned a dedicated "concierge" to assist with scheduling. Prior federal contracts or existing relationships with the U.S. government are not required to apply, as the program seeks to make it easier for companies with promising ideas to validate their equipment.
While the Army cautions that capacity constraints may affect preferred dates and locations, the concierge team will work with applicants to find available windows. The goal is to provide companies with realistic environments to test and refine emerging technologies for modern battlefields.