U.S. Army Opens Test Ranges To Private Companies For Weapons

U.S. Army Opens Test Ranges To Private Companies For WeaponsAugust 10, 2026Jessica Mathews / Associated Press / News@whmi.comCAMP GRAYLING, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. Army said Friday that it is opening up test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones and other weapons in hopes of buying them more quickly for use on the battlefield. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told reporters at a military testing range in Michigan that the effort will cut months and sometimes years of the red tape that typically stifles military contractors. Driscoll told reporters that the Army aims to “break down every single barrier that we have put up over the last 20 or 30 years.” The first company to take advantage of the new program has tested a new cruise missile at the Army’s missile test range in Morocco. The program allows drone and missile companies to use five Army ranges to test new rockets, drones and anti-drone weapons even if that company does not have a military contract.