US Air Force Wants Cybertrucks for Target Practice

Tone & Political Bias: Weakly Center-Leaning

Why: The article sticks to factual reporting with some references to Elon Musk and Tesla's past controversies, but it doesn't strongly favor or criticize any political ideology or figure.

What's Happening

The US Air Force has announced plans to purchase two Tesla Cybertrucks as part of a larger vehicle order for live-fire weapons testing. The decision is driven by expectations that these electric pickups may begin to appear in future combat zones due to their durability and design.

Details From The Contract

According to official documents posted on a US Government contracting site:

The Air Force is procuring 33 vehicles, including 2 Cybertrucks, for live missile fire testing.
The testing will take place at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
The Cybertrucks are not required to be operational. They only need to be towable, and their batteries must be removed.
The purpose is to simulate and assess how such vehicles might perform under missile impact conditions.

Why The Cybertruck?

A separate justification document explains why the Cybertruck was specifically requested:

Contracting officers believe it is “likely” that US adversaries may begin to use Cybertrucks on the battlefield.
The reasoning includes the vehicle's stainless steel construction, which has been observed to resist damage more effectively than other vehicle types.
The document says:“In the operating theatre it is likely 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.”

Context: The Cybertruck’s Battlefield Rumors

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has called the Cybertruck “apocalypse proof” since its launch in 2023.
In 2024, Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, posted a video of a Cybertruck modified with a mounted machine gun, which he claimed was headed to the Ukrainian front lines.
Kadyrov later accused Tesla of remotely disabling the vehicle, calling Musk “not manly.” Tesla has not commented on the claim.

Experts Are Skeptical

Despite its heavy-duty frame and unique design, some defense analysts remain unconvinced about the Cybertruck's utility in actual warfare:

Military experts have told Business Insider the Cybertruck would likely be “useless” on a real battlefield.
Its electric drivetrain and complex electronics may make it vulnerable in rugged environments.
Since launch, the Cybertruck has faced at least eight recalls, including issues with accelerator pedals getting stuck and vehicle parts detaching.

Sales Performance

Tesla initially projected annual sales of over 250,000 Cybertrucks.
However, only 10,700 have been sold in the US so far in 2025, according to Cox Automotive.
The vehicle’s high price and production delays have impacted overall demand.

No Official Comment Yet

As of now, neither the US Air Force nor Tesla has issued any public statement regarding the Cybertruck procurement.
The contract was first reported by The War Zone, a military-focused publication.

What This Could Mean

While the Air Force’s testing does not confirm that Cybertrucks will be used in combat by enemy forces, it reflects a broader strategic move to prepare for evolving threats and unconventional battlefield technologies. The procurement signals the military’s interest in examining non-traditional vehicles that may appear in conflict zones, especially as more civilian technologies blur into warfare scenarios.