The US Military Is Buying Tesla Cybertrucks To Blow Them Up

Tesla has now shifted its marketing to focus on more conventional pickup capabilities and less dystopian, apocalypse-ready, military-grade awesome machines. But it appears the US military has finally found a practical use for Tesla Cybertrucks: target practice.

The War Zone uncovered an Air Force Test Center requisition order for 33 target vehicles. Thirty-one of the vehicles are generic types (sedan, pickup etc.). But the order requests two Tesla Cybertrucks specifically. The vehicles are to report to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where the US Special Operation Command’s Stand-Off Precision Guided Munitions Program will use them. Basically, the Air Force wants to fire missiles at them and blow them up.

Why The Air Force Wants To Blow Up Cybertrucks
The Air Force Test Center had to file a formal “single source justification” for why it needed Cybertrucks in particular. There isn’t anything else like the Cybertruck on the road. So, they can’t approximate a Cybertruck with a cheaper generic option.

“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 AFTC document stated.

“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 Cybertruck.”

The Air Force wants to ensure it can destroy Cybertrucks because it fears that enemies may use them due to their purported impact resistance.

"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. Testing needs to mirror real world situations. The intent of the training is to prep the units for operations by simulating scenarios as closely as possible to the real world situations,” the AFTC document stated.

Admittedly, we did not conduct military-level market research to this matter. But we suspect it may be some time before "the enemy" transitions from clichéd Toyotas to Cybertrucks. The Cybertruck hasn't proven to be the most durable truck out there, though, with stones causing catastrophic damage and glued-on body panels falling off. Also, the Cybertruck requires either advanced charging infrastructure or being immobile for hours at a time. And if you're looking to operate clandestinely, a Cybertruck is arguably the most conspicuous-looking vehicle on the planet.