There’s a method to their madness, it seems.
If the U.S. Air Force has its way it’ll soon have Tesla Cybertrucks delivered to its test center in New Mexico so it can use them as missile targets.
As first reported by the defense news and analysis website The War Zone, the military branch made it known in contracting documents posted online that it seeks 33 target vehicles so that the Air Force Test Center can use them as missile practice at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The WSMR is run by the U.S. Army.
The Air Force is only looking to buy two Tesla Cybertrucks —with sedans, trucks and SUVs rounding out the remaining 31 vehicles — so they can «be used as targets for live missile fire testing.» The two Cybertrucks are the only name-brands listed.
Under «justification for soliciting from a single source or brand name,» the government states that “it is likely the type of vehicles used by the enemy may transition to Tesla Cyber trucks as they have been found not to receive the normal extent of damage expected upon major impact.”
The government also states that, with respect to the Cybetruck, it tried but couldn’t find a vehicle that compares to the Cybertruck.
“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 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,» the documents read. «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 Cybetruck.”
In its statement of objective, the government requires that all vehicles be intact, including «all glass and mirrors.» The vehicles don’t need to run «but all wheels need to roll,» and «all fluids shall be drained prior to delivery.»
Elon Musk’s Tesla Cybertrucks start at around $61,000 and can go as high as $100,000.
As for why the government wants to specifically use Cybertrucks as missile practice, the government needs the ginormous vehicles because of the prospect of unspecified adversaries utilizing them in the near future.
Per The War Zone, some of the missiles that could be used in the operation includes the AGM-114 Hellfire and GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb (LSDB).