US Air Force to use Tesla Cybertrucks as missile practice targets

The U.S. Air Force plans to purchase two Tesla Cybertrucks to use as target vehicles for precision munitions testing, rather than for transportation or patrol. These trucks will help simulate potential real-world threats, as the military anticipates adversaries might deploy Cybertrucks in future conflicts. The vehicles will be part of a broader acquisition of 33 target vehicles by the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) for use at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Unlike other vehicles on the list, the Cybertruck required a formal sole-source justification due to its unique design and materials, including an unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton and a 48V electrical architecture, which contribute to its superior durability and efficiency. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously promoted the Cybertruck as “apocalypse-proof” and bullet-resistant, even pitching it to defense officials as a military vehicle. However, the Air Force’s documents reveal that these trucks are now intended to serve as tough targets in missile tests because