The US Army test ranges will simulate battlefield conditions seen in Ukraine. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said at least two domestic facilities are planned within four to six weeks.
Driscoll told reporters on June 23 that the ranges would bring troops, drone makers and counter-drone developers together, and the sites would test equipment in contested environments.
“You can have a kind of electronic warfare and all of the contested environment created,” Driscoll said. He said soldiers would work with developers to strengthen their skills.
The facilities will focus on electronic warfare, drone threats and counter-drone systems. Driscoll said the Army already has some safe testing sites inside the United States.
The Army is also exploring a separate overseas range. Driscoll said that the site could support “much more aggressive testing,” including hypersonic systems. He declined to identify possible locations.
Current US counter-drone training does not always include electronic jamming during the briefing said domestic rules restrict its use.
Driscoll made the comments during an industry event. The event focused on closer Pentagon cooperation with defence companies working on systems to intercept drones and missiles.
Dwayne Hayes, an official with the Army’s Strategic Threats Office, said Russia produces about 3,000 to 5,000 one-way attack drones each month. He said Moscow also produces about 600,000 smaller first-person-view drones monthly.
Hayes said Ukraine produces about 30,000 interceptor drones each month in response. He said the United States remains highly capable at producing advanced systems such as Patriot and THAAD interceptors.
Read: E5 Leaders to Meet in Berlin to Discuss Russia–Ukraine War
The Army wants cheaper, more expendable interceptor systems for prolonged, high-volume conflicts. The push follows battlefield lessons from Ukraine and recent fighting involving Iran.
President Donald Trump has met major defence contractors this year. He is expected to hold further talks with industry leaders this week on increased output.
Companies including Lockheed Martin, Boeing and L3Harris produce advanced missile defence systems. Some interceptors cost between $4 million and $5 million each.
The US Army test ranges plan aims to help soldiers and industry test lower-cost systems beside advanced weapons. Driscoll said the Army does not want to replace existing systems. He said it wants products to supplement them.
