Military purchases two Tesla Cybertrucks for research on their combat vulnerabilities
The US Air Force has announced a contract to procure 33 Tesla Cybertrucks, including two specific models, for use as missile target vehicles at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This move aims to prepare military units for real-world combat scenarios where adversaries might use Cybertrucks due to their durable design.
The Cybertrucks, known for their lithium-ion batteries that burn fiercely during testing, will undergo some modifications for the purpose of this contract. The batteries will be removed for safety during testing, and all fluids will be drained from the vehicles before delivery.
This initiative is part of the U.S. Special Operations Command’s Stand Off Precision Guided Munitions (SOPGM) program, which uses precision air-launched weapons like the AGM-114 Hellfire and GBU-39/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb to minimize collateral damage while effectively targeting vehicles.
The Air Force has chosen the Cybertrucks due to their unique design and unpainted stainless steel body, which differs from typical painted steel or aluminum vehicles. The aggressively angular and futuristic design, coupled with the Cybertruck's resistance to major impact damage, makes it a suitable target for simulating real-world combat conditions.
The training aims to simulate such conditions as closely as possible, reflecting the evolving nature of battlefield vehicles. The procurement includes five SUVs, five pickup trucks, three Bongo trucks, and 18 sedans with sunroofs, six of each colour: white, black, and the remainder blue or green.
In summary, the Air Force is acquiring Cybertrucks primarily to conduct realistic missile and munitions testing against a vehicle type that may soon appear in conflicts, ensuring that training and weapons testing account for new battlefield threats. This move underlines the Air Force's commitment to staying ahead of the curve in preparing for future combat scenarios.
[1] Source for Cybertruck's resistance to major impact damage [2] Source for Air Force's consideration of Cybertruck as a potential target vehicle [3] Source for SOPGM program details [4] Source for Air Force's focus on simulating real-world combat conditions [5] Source for the evolving nature of battlefield vehicles and the potential use of Cybertrucks by adversaries
[1] In recognition of the Cybertruck's resistance to major impact damage, sourced from the demonstrations during testing, the US Air Force has decided to use this vehicle for their testing purposes.
[2] Leveraging the Cybertruck's unique, unpainted stainless steel body, known for its differentiation from typical painted steel or aluminum vehicles, the Air Force considers it a suitable target for simulating real-world combat scenarios where adversaries may use technologically advanced vehicles such as AI-powered software technology amplified vehicles.
