The US Air Force is literally putting Elon Musk’s Cybertruck in its sights. Two of Tesla’s futuristic, stainless steel electric trucks will be purchased for live-fire missile tests at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. According to NY Post, the military says the vehicle’s unique angular design, stainless steel exoskeleton and advanced 48-volt electrical system make it a valuable stand-in for potential enemy assets in combat simulations. This unusual military interest comes as the Cybertruck, once touted for its near-indestructibility, faces ongoing public scrutiny over its design and a history of high-profile durability controversies.
Elon Musk’s Tesla truck heads to the battlefield
According to Air Force documents, the Cybertruck’s “aggressively angular and futuristic design” combined with its unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton offers a level of resilience unusual in consumer vehicles. Its robust structure reportedly sustains less damage from impacts compared to conventional steel or aluminium bodies. The truck’s 48-volt architecture also provides more power and efficiency, capabilities that could be exploited by adversaries, making it an ideal candidate for weapons testing. The two Cybertrucks, costing about $80,000 each, will be part of a broader $2.64 million contract to acquire 33 vehicles for US Special Operations Command.
From sales floor to missile range
At White Sands Missile Range, the trucks will undergo missile and ballistic trials designed to mimic real-world battle conditions. Officials believe the data will help refine both offensive and defensive strategies against similarly armoured vehicles. Since its 2019 unveiling, marked by Musk’s failed “unbreakable” window demonstration, the Cybertruck has been promoted as a rugged, combat-ready machine. Tesla has even released footage of the vehicle withstanding gunfire from submachine guns, pistols and shotguns. For the Air Force, however, the focus is not on hype or market performance, but on preparing for a battlefield where vehicles might be as unconventional as Musk’s creation.