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The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to purchase two Tesla Cybertrucks as targets for precision munitions during testing and training exercises, marking a unique approach to addressing defense needs.
The U.S. Air Force plans to purchase two Tesla Cybertrucks as targets for precision munitions during testing and training exercises. The contract aims to simulate real-world scenarios and prepare units for operations, highlighting the need for adaptable defense systems in a world of electric vehicles. The Air Force's interest in the Cybertruck is due to its unique attributes, including its design, materials, and electrical architecture, which set it apart from competitors. Tesla has struggled with sales of the Cybertruck, but the Air Force's purchase may have an impact on future plans for a smaller truck model.
The U.S. Air Force has taken a unique approach to addressing its defense needs, one that involves not only traditional military vehicles but also the electric cars of Elon Musk. According to recent documents obtained by The War Zone, the government plans to purchase two Tesla Cybertrucks as targets for precision munitions during testing and training exercises.
The contract, which was made available online, reveals that the Air Force intends to use the Cybertrucks "for target vehicle training flight test events," with the aim of simulating real-world scenarios and preparing units for operations. The document notes that the type of vehicles used by the enemy may transition to Tesla Cybertrucks as they have been found not to receive the normal extent of damage expected upon major impact.
The Air Force's interest in the Cybertruck is likely due to its unique attributes, including its aggressively angular design, unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, and 48V electrical architecture. According to market research conducted by the government, these features set the Cybertruck apart from competitors typically using painted steel or aluminum bodies.
The study revealed that the Cybertruck's design provides superior power and efficiency, a feature that rivals are only beginning to develop. It is unclear whether this unique combination of attributes makes the car appealing to America's foes, but it is clear that the Air Force sees value in its use as a target vehicle.
Tesla has reportedly struggled with sales of the Cybertruck, with estimates suggesting that less than 40,000 units were sold in 2024. The model has been called a "flop," a "failure," and "the stupidest vehicle ever designed" among other things. In recent months, the company has begun to make special offers to potential buyers as a way to sweeten the deal.
A recent report claimed that amidst the Cybertruck's commercial failure, Tesla has recently been considering developing a smaller truck. However, this development is still in its infancy, and it remains to be seen whether the Air Force's interest in the larger model will have any impact on Tesla's future plans.
The use of the Cybertruck as a target vehicle for the Air Force raises questions about the role of electric cars in military applications. As the world becomes increasingly dependent on electric vehicles, it is likely that they will play a larger role in both civilian and military contexts. However, the challenge of developing practical and effective defense systems that can adapt to this new reality remains.
For now, the Air Force's decision to purchase two Cybertrucks as targets for precision munitions represents an interesting development in the ongoing story of Elon Musk's electric cars. Whether or not this will lead to further innovation in the military use of electric vehicles remains to be seen.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Air-Forces-Unlikely-Use-for-Elon-Musks-Cybertrucks-Target-Practice-ehn.shtml
https://gizmodo.com/the-air-force-wants-to-use-cybertrucks-for-target-practice-2000640105
Published: Thu Aug 7 14:53:26 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M