The US Air Force wants to buy several Tesla Cybertrucks to make them targets for missiles
The US Air Force is set to buy two Tesla Cybertrucks - but not to patrol bases or introduce electrification to the military. The electric pickups will be used as targets for precision weapons.
Here's What We Know
The War Zone reports that the US Air Force Flight Test Center (AFTC) has placed a bid for 33 vehicles to be used for testing at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The list includes sedans, pickup trucks, crossovers and even vans, but only two items have a specific brand and model listed - the Tesla Cybertruck.
The documentation explains why the military needed these particular vehicles:
"[deleted] intends to use specific vehicles manufactured by Tesla for testing in preparation for combat operations. In a real-world conflict, an adversary could use the Tesla Cybertruck because they have been observed to not sustain the expected level of damage in serious collisions. It is necessary to model scenarios as close to reality as possible."
The US Air Force's rationale for purchasing Tesla Cybertruck for use as targets. Source: The War Zone
In other words, the military wants to make sure their precision weapons are capable of hitting targets like the Cybertruck, even given their unusual ruggedness.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously said that the Cybertruck is "bulletproof" and "capable of surviving the apocalypse." He has also repeatedly hinted that the electric pickup is suitable for military applications and has even offered it to the US military. However, it appears that the first military deliveries will be limited to the role of targets.
Source: TWZ