Revolutionary Test Range Launched to Bridge Military and Drone Startups

The opening of a 400,000-acre testing and training facility near Moody Air Force Base in Georgia marks a significant step toward modernizing military capabilities and fostering collaboration between armed forces and defense innovators. Second Bend Labs, based in Georgia, announced the public launch of this state-of-the-art site on Friday. Designed to address gaps in both military training and drone technology development, the facility aims to create realistic environments for soldiers and startups to test and refine their equipment side by side.

The new range is tailored to meet the unique needs of modern warfare, offering a space where civilians can access testing areas that are typically restricted to military personnel. This includes the ability to test drones and counter-drone systems in high-intensity scenarios, such as flying medium-sized drones at the altitude of an A-10 Warthog and having soldiers engage them. Such environments have been identified by defense officials, including Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, as critical for advancing military technology but previously hindered by bureaucratic obstacles and regulatory constraints.

The facility features diverse terrain, five miles of riverfront water for maritime drone testing, and a range complex built to Department of Defense specifications. It also includes a 3,000-square-foot hangar, a 20-foot launch pad, and amenities like lodging, dining, and team bonding spaces, aiming to create a collaborative atmosphere akin to a tech accelerator or modern co-working space. Stu Booker, Second Bend’s president of unmanned and autonomous systems, emphasized the importance of training in realistic mission environments to prepare for the complexities of contemporary warfare.

Despite its progress, the facility is still working on obtaining regulatory waivers to replicate advanced electromagnetic warfare effects, such as jamming, which are crucial for simulating modern battle conditions. Sam Kellett, Second Bend’s CEO, highlighted the company’s efforts to collaborate with federal officials to ease these restrictions and enhance testing realism. The site has already hosted military units like the 123rd Air Force Special Tactics Squadron and several defense startups, including Red Cat and T3i, providing them with a platform to test and refine their technologies in dynamic, scenario-based environments.

This initiative addresses a growing need for more agile and innovative approaches to military training and technology development, particularly as drones and counter-drone systems become central to modern conflict. By bridging the gap between soldiers and startups, Second Bend Labs is setting a new standard for how future defense innovation will be tested and deployed.