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The U.S. Air Force wants to purchase some Tesla Cybertrucks so its Air Force Test Center (AFTC) in New Mexico can use them in precision-guided missile tests. When they do, we will truly find out whether, as Elon Musk once said, a Tesla Cybertruck really can “survive the apocalypse.”
According to federal documents recently shared online, the Tesla Cybertrucks were on a list of 33 target vehicles the Test Center wants to purchase and use for target practice at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. Interestingly, the Tesla Cybertrucks were the only make and model specifically singled out on the list. The rest of the requested vehicles are simply listed in general terms like sedans, pickups, SUVs, and Bongo trucks.
The War Zone reports, “The explicit requirement for the Cybertrucks — which do not need to be in running condition, but do need to be able to roll towed behind another vehicle — requires a formal sole-source justification, a redacted copy of which is among the documents that AFTC has shared online.”
What the documents say
“On 13 February 2025, market research was conducted to assess the competition for the Tesla Cybertruck by evaluating its design, materials, impact resistance, and innovative technologies,” the document specifies. “The study revealed that the Cybertruck’s aggressively angular and futuristic design, paired with its unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, sets it apart from competitors typically using painted steel or aluminum bodies. Additionally, its 48V electrical architecture provides superior power and efficiency, a feature that rivals are only beginning to develop. Extensive internet searches and industry outreach by [redacted] found no vehicles with features comparable to those of the Cybertruck.
It goes on the explain, “[redacted] intends to uses [sic] specific Tesla manufactured vehicles for target vehicle training flight test events. In the operating theatre it is likely the type of vehicles used by the enemy may transition to Tesla Cyber trucks [sic] as they have been found not to receive the normal extent of damage expected upon major impact. Testing needs to mirror real world situations. The intent of the training is to prep the units for operations by simulating scenarios as closely as possible to the real world situations.”
Who is the Air Force worried about?
What “enemy” the Air Force is concerned about using Tesla Cybertrucks, it does not say. However, The War Zone does point out that Tesla recently announced it would soon begin direct sales in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The Chechen Republic has also revealed they are in possession of several Cybertrucks with 12.7mm machine guns mounted on them. Private companies have also been “offering Cybertrucks with add-on armor and other features aimed at prospective law enforcement, military, and private security customers.”
Kadyrov of Chechnya published a video with Tesla Cybertruck with a machinegun installed pic.twitter.com/HQmLLbeCbP
— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) August 17, 2024