The US Army is opening up its training centers for private firms to test out new drones

The US Army is now allowing private drone companies to access its testing ranges without needing prior government partnerships. This change aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles faced by smaller defense contractors. Five military facilities in the United States and Morocco will participate in the program, providing testing opportunities across contested airspace, degraded signals, and at real scale.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized that this move enables companies to prove their equipment works without extensive legal assistance. The expanded access reflects urgency within the Pentagon to accelerate drone and counter-drone development timelines. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to hasten the development of drones, counter-drone tools, and interceptors.