# Congress Launches Military Test Range Caucus

On October 27, 2026, Rep. Vince Fong announced a bipartisan congressional caucus focused on military ranges and test facilities, advocating for resources, infrastructure, land, and workforce to support defense research, development, testing, and readiness. The Army has opened five test ranges to private industry for drones, counter-drone systems, long-range fires, and low-cost interceptors, while Air Force leaders are exploring similar access. No solicitation, contract value, application process, or procurement schedule was announced, so these developments signal potential test-access and future infrastructure opportunities rather than an active procurement.

- Defense contractors developing the cited systems can assess whether their technologies align with the Army’s stated range-testing areas; the signals provide no application or access instructions.
- Firms supporting test-range infrastructure, equipment, and skilled workforce needs may find the caucus’s resource priorities relevant to future market planning.
- The Air Force has not announced an access program or solicitation. Contractors can follow the caucus’s stated legislative and resource priorities and the Air Force’s exploration of industry access for concrete next steps.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Congress (Congress)
- U.S. Army (Army)
- U.S. Air Force (USAF)
- Air Force Test Center (AFTC)

### Key Quotes
> America's military ranges and test facilities are where our nation's warfighters get their edge, and I am proud to represent some of the most critical in the world.
> — Vince Fong, U.S. Representative

> Keeping America's edge means investing in the ranges, the infrastructure, and the skilled workforce that make that testing possible.
> — George Whitesides, U.S. Representative

> To further strengthen these critical national security assets, I have consistently championed legislation to support our Major Range and Test Facility Bases and ensure they are equipped to meet our evolving defense needs.
> — Julia Brownley, U.S. Representative

### Sources
- [Congressmen launch bipartisan military range, test facility caucus](https://www.federaltimes.com/defense/2026/10/27/congressmen-launch-bipartisan-military-range-test-facility-caucus) - Federal Times
- [Fong Launches Bipartisan Congressional Military Range and Test Facility Caucus | Congressman Vince Fong](https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/fong-launches-bipartisan-congressional-military-range-and-test-facility-caucus) - FONG