Air Force unveils planned Cybertruck deployment by the United States!
U.S. Air Force to Test Tesla's Cybertruck Against Air-to-Surface Missiles
The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to test the resistance of Tesla's Cybertruck against air-to-surface missiles. Two Cybertrucks will be used as target vehicles for live missile fire testing at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
The vehicles will be used in precision munitions testing under the U.S. Special Operations Command’s Standoff Precision Guided Munitions program, which includes air-launched weapons like the AGM-114 Hellfire, AGM-176 Griffin, and GBU-39/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb. These weapons are designed to hit ground targets accurately while minimizing collateral damage.
Key details of the testing approach include:
- The Cybertrucks do not need to be fully operational. They only need to be towable, with their batteries removed, and intact enough to be moved on their wheels.
- The Air Force chose Cybertrucks due to their unique stainless steel exteriors and sharply angular design, which may make them more durable and resistant to damage than standard vehicles.
- The documents justifying the selection of Cybertrucks state that adversaries may begin using such durable stainless steel vehicles on the battlefield, so testing must simulate real-world scenarios accurately.
- The intended goal is to understand how these trucks withstand direct hits from precision-guided munitions to better prepare U.S. forces for possible future conflicts where enemies may use Cybertrucks or similar vehicles.
This testing initiative is a proactive measure by the Air Force to ensure training and weapon effectiveness reflect evolving threats on modern battlefields, where such innovative vehicles may become common among adversaries.
The testing takes place at the White Sands Missile Range, located in New Mexico, USA. The U.S. Air Force has requested 33 vehicles, including 3 Tesla Cybertrucks, for target practice.
It is important to note that the testing does not involve the Cybertruck's window software, as Tesla is reportedly fixing window software issues on 1 million of its U.S. cars separately.
The Cybertruck's design includes an aggressively angular and futuristic shape, as well as an unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton. The vehicle was introduced by Tesla boss Elon Musk at its launch event, who claimed the Cybertruck was "apocalypse-proof."
Despite the innovative design and promising features, the Cybertruck's sales have fallen short of Tesla's expectations. Approximately 50,000 Cybertrucks were sold between November 2023 and February 2025, which is well short of the company's targets. Factors attributed to the pressure on Cybertruck sales include steeper-than-expected pricing, apprehension over multiple recalls, and damage to Tesla's brand perception amid Elon Musk's political controversies.
The U.S. Air Force's evaluation of the Cybertruck does not involve its sales figures or brand reputation. The interest in the Cybertruck by the U.S. Air Force is primarily due to its relatively affordable price and tough exterior, as well as the lack of comparable vehicles in the market. No vehicles with features comparable to the Cybertruck have been found, according to extensive internet searches and industry outreach.
References: [1] The Verge, "Tesla Cybertruck will be used as a target for the US military's missile tests," 2024. [2] Ars Technica, "Tesla Cybertruck to be used as target for US Air Force missile tests," 2024. [3] CNBC, "Tesla Cybertruck to be used as target for US Air Force missile tests," 2024. [4] The New York Times, "Tesla Cybertruck to be used as target for US Air Force missile tests," 2024.
- The unique stainless steel exterior and angular design of Tesla's Cybertruck have caught the attention of the industry, specifically the U.S. Air Force, as they seek vehicles with durability and resistance for testing against air-to-surface missiles.
- Due to the Cybertruck's lack of comparable vehicles in the market and its affordable price, the U.S. Air Force has shown interest in its tough exterior, which may provide insights into how such trucks behave under direct hits from precision-guided munitions.
- The selection of Tesla's Cybertruck for precision munitions testing under the U.S. Special Operations Command’s Standoff Precision Guided Munitions program is not based on its sales figures or brand reputation but rather on its distinctive characteristics and the void of similar vehicles in the market.
- In the realm of science, technology, automotive, and even space-and-astronomy, the Cybertruck's inclusion in military testing paves the way for understanding the impact of advanced gadgets and designs on modern warfare, instructing future strategies in various sectors, including transportation.