The Cybertrucks are among the 33 target vehicles that AFTC now seeks to acquire for testing—determining how effective American weapons are against commercial cars and trucks.
In the 1980s, the United States Marine Corps famously announced it was looking for a “few good men.” Today, the US Air Force is looking for a couple of Tesla Cybertrucks. The electric vehicles (EVs) won’t be used to carry personnel or to test stealth capabilities.
Instead, the Air Force will employ the Cybertrucks as missile targets!
The US Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is now reported to be in the process of buying two of the EV trucks. Once complete, the trucks will be sent to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico for “testing”—meaning they will be used in target practice with the Standoff Precision Guided Munition.
The Cybertruck Destruction (Probably) Isn’t Political
The decision to employ the Cybertruck, which has gained as many fans and supporters as detractors since it was introduced, has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the “bromance” between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO and tech billionaire Elon Musk is over. Though some could suggest Trump may have ordered the military to shoot up the EVs as a form of political payback, there is a far more practical reason for the military’s choice of target.
The Cybertrucks are simply among the 33 target vehicles that AFTC now seeks to acquire for testing. According to documents posted on the government contracting website, the Air Force is seeking two Cybertrucks for “live missile fire testing.” The justification is that it may be the type of vehicle an enemy could “transition to” in the future.
According to the document, the undisclosed service—which is fairly clearly the Air Force—”intends to use specific Tesla-manufactured vehicles for target vehicle training flight test events.”
The document also observed that, in the past, Cybertrucks had “been found not to receive the normal extent of damage expected upon major impact”—possibly making them a useful battlefield tool in some scenarios.
Could the Cybertruck Actually Go to War?
Those scenarios aren’t as far-fetched as they may sound.
Toyota trucks, notably the Hilux and Land Cruiser models, gained notoriety and even infamy after appearing in numerous conflict zones as “technicals,” improvised fighting vehicles mounted with makeshift armor and machine guns. The Taliban, ISIS, and other insurgent groups have bought the vehicles on the secondary market, sometimes illegally exported to the Middle East and Africa. In addition, there were reports that the US State Department even supplied Toyota trucks to Syrian rebels.
Those trucks were known for their reliability, durability, and off-road capabilities. Although not designed for a warzone, the Toyota trucks proved up to the task. The Pentagon should therefore be wise to consider that in the coming decades, the Cybertruck could also be adopted and adapted accordingly. There have already been reports that Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechen Republic, has adopted a small fleet of Cybertrucks for this purpose.
The documents also explained that based on market research carried out on the EV, it was found “that the Cybertruck’s aggressively angular and futuristic design, paired with its unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, sets it apart from competitors using painted steel or aluminum bodies.”
As noted, the EV is just one of nearly three dozen modern trucks and SUVs that will be used in live fire tests. It is unclear what “operating theatre” was meant, but it could still be the Middle East, Africa, or Asia. The enemy is not likely to be a near-peer adversary such as Russia or China, but even those nations could operate EVs similar to the Cybertruck in the future.
The Air Force isn’t going to the local Tesla dealership, as it doesn’t need brand-new Cybertrucks. In fact, as the Air Force’s acquisition documents explained, “Vehicles do not need to run, but all wheels need to roll.” In addition to usable tires, all glass and mirrors should be intact.
The service did request that fluids be drained from the vehicle, and its giant battery removed.
How Indestructible Is the Cybertruck? The Air Force Will Find Out
Elon Musk has repeatedly claimed the Cybertruck could survive the apocalypse. Although it hasn’t been quite as indestructible as Musk boasted in the real world, the fact that it will be on the firing line could be a marketing win for Tesla.
The trucks are as likely as any of the other vehicles to stand up to the Air Force’s barrage of fire. There is little chance the EVs will survive, but that’s not the point. As with other live fire exercises against targets, it is how much fire it can withstand. This is PR that money can’t buy.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / Around the World Photos.
