Army opens test ranges to small companies to try to get weapons quicker to the battlefield

The briefing

The U.S. Army is opening its test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones and other weapons, promising access within 30 days of a request through a new online marketplace. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said the current process can take 12 to 18 months and pledged to break down barriers built over decades. Covenant Industries was the first to use the program, testing its Anthem cruise missile at the Army's range in Morocco.