The U.S. Air Force plans to purchase two Tesla Cybertrucks to serve as missile targets, aiming to simulate battlefield conditions where similar vehicles might be used by adversaries.
At a Glance
- Two Tesla Cybertrucks are included in a 33-vehicle target procurement for White Sands Missile Range
- Stainless steel body and angular design prompted selection for testing realism
- Vehicles will have batteries removed and be towable but need not be operational
- Program supports SOCOM’s Standoff Precision Guided Munitions training
- Missiles tested may include Hellfire, Griffin, and Small Diameter Bombs
Purpose Behind the Purchase
The Air Force’s decision to acquire Cybertrucks stems from their distinctive construction and potential appearance in future conflict zones. The vehicles’ unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, angular profile, and advanced electrical architecture differ from conventional military and civilian vehicles typically used as targets. Officials believe that replicating such designs in training enhances preparedness for real-world encounters with unconventional platforms.
The two Cybertrucks are part of a larger procurement of 33 target vehicles. Contract documents specify they must be structurally intact, with glass, wheels, and body panels in place, but batteries removed for safety. The intent is to maintain the vehicles’ realistic silhouette and reflective properties while eliminating operational hazards.
How the Testing Works
The targets will be used at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, a long-standing site for U.S. weapons testing. Under the Special Operations Command’s Standoff Precision Guided Munitions program, the Cybertrucks will be subjected to strikes from precision-guided weapons. These could include AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, AGM-176 Griffin missiles, and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, among others.
Testing with such vehicles allows operators to assess how munitions perform against hard-angled, rigid stainless steel structures. This data can influence tactics, targeting algorithms, and munition selection in scenarios involving vehicles with similar characteristics.
Watch now: Air Force to Use Tesla Cybertrucks for Target Practice · YouTube
Broader Significance
Military planners have increasingly incorporated non-standard vehicles into live-fire exercises to reflect evolving battlefield realities. In some regions, armed groups have adapted civilian trucks and SUVs for offensive and defensive roles. While Tesla’s Cybertruck was not designed for combat, its unique construction could inspire future armored designs by state or non-state actors.
In addition to its structural resilience, the Cybertruck’s 48-volt electrical system and large flat panels could influence how sensors detect and target it. By including such platforms in tests, the Air Force can refine sensor performance, aiming algorithms, and battle damage assessments.
The use of consumer-grade vehicles in military exercises also serves a deterrence function. Demonstrating the ability to disable unconventional targets reinforces operational flexibility and readiness against a wide array of potential threats.
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