Redstone Arsenal, AL - Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll paid a high-profile visit to Redstone Arsenal on Monday, May 19, 2025, underscoring the U.S. Army’s urgent push to modernize its forces amid rapidly evolving global threats. The visit brought him face-to-face with some of the service’s leading technology and acquisition teams, including the Army Materiel Command, the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, and the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).
In meetings described as intensive and collaborative, Secretary Driscoll was briefed on the Army’s accelerated efforts to shorten acquisition timelines and deploy emerging technologies to soldiers in the field. At the center of these discussions was the RCCTO, a specialized unit charged with fast-tracking cutting-edge capabilities from research to the battlefield.
“One of the key things we observed during this visit was the work of the Army’s rapid capabilities unit,” Driscoll said following the tour. “We recognized a couple of years ago that our acquisition timelines needed to accelerate, particularly in light of modern warfare – the lessons from Ukraine, the proliferation of drones, the increasing importance of cyber warfare, and the growing reliance on data. This unit is demonstrating how we can move faster.”
Driscoll expressed confidence that many of the advancements now in development at Redstone could begin reaching soldiers within six to twelve months. “After seeing their work firsthand, I’m even more optimistic,” he added. “Much of this progress is happening right here in Alabama.”
The RCCTO, established to fill critical gaps in Army capabilities, emphasized its integrated structure as a key factor behind its speed and effectiveness. “The RCCTO’s strength lies in its integrated approach,” said Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch, Jr., who directs the office. “We’re not siloed researchers; we’re a team of engineers, scientists, acquisition professionals, and Soldiers working in lockstep. This end-to-end integration—from R&D to sustainment—is what allows us to rapidly translate cutting-edge ideas into tangible capabilities.”
Rasch also noted that guidance from senior Army leaders ensures that the office remains aligned with strategic national priorities.
The visit comes at a time of heightened focus within the Pentagon on streamlining how the military responds to technological innovation and adversary advancements. From hypersonic weapons and advanced air defense systems to artificial intelligence and drone countermeasures, the RCCTO is central to that effort.
Secretary Driscoll’s stop at Redstone Arsenal signals the Army’s firm commitment to a modernization agenda that is both swift and strategically grounded. It also affirms Redstone’s growing role as a nerve center in preparing U.S. forces for the conflicts of tomorrow.
“Everything we’re doing here,” Driscoll said, “is about making sure our Soldiers have the tools they need to succeed—not years from now, but as soon as possible.”
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