Air Force of United States intends to employ Tesla Cybertrucks in live-ammunition drills for testing purposes
U.S. Air Force to Test Precision Munitions on Tesla Cybertrucks at White Sands Missile Range
The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to use two Tesla Cybertrucks as target vehicles for precision munition testing and training at the White Sands Missile Range. This move is part of the U.S. Special Operations Command’s Standoff Precision Guided Munitions (SOPGM) program, which aims to evaluate air-launched precision weapons such as the AGM-114 Hellfire and the GBU-39/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb [1][2][3].
The decision to use Cybertrucks specifically is based on the expectation that adversaries may use similar vehicles in future conflicts. The Air Force believes that the Cybertruck's unique design, including its stainless steel exoskeleton and angular, futuristic shape, makes it resilient to damage in ways that differ from typical vehicles. This could mean that Cybertrucks might withstand impacts differently, requiring tailored target practice to realistically simulate battlefield scenarios [1][2][3][4][5].
The primary objective of the training is to ensure that live missile testing reflects real-world combat situations where enemies might operate Cybertrucks, which appear more durable than conventional vehicles in major impacts. The Cybertrucks need not be operable but should have intact bodies, glass, mirrors, and wheels to serve as realistic targets [2][3][5].
The Cybertruck, demonstrated to stop bullets with its windows and side panels, may attract potential enemies due to its unique features. However, for the live-fire tests, the Cybertrucks do not need to be fully operational [6].
The Cybertrucks will be used for target vehicle training flight test events at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico [7]. The Cybertruck's 48V electrical architecture offers superior power and efficiency compared to its rivals, ensuring that it can withstand the demands of the testing [8].
Moreover, the Cybertrucks must be capable of rolling while being towed, meaning their wheels and axles must be intact and in good working condition [9]. The use of Cybertrucks in potential enemy vehicles could change the nature of battles, requiring testing to mirror real-world situations [10].
In summary, the U.S. Air Force's training intends to simulate real-world scenarios for unit preparation, using the unique features of the Tesla Cybertruck to provide challenging and realistic targets for precision munition testing and training.
[1] https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/74316/ [2] https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/74316/ [3] https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/74316/ [4] https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/74316/ [5] https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/74316/ [6] https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/74316/ [7] https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/74316/ [8] https://www.tesla.com/cybertruck [9] https://www.tesla.com/cybertruck [10] https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/74316/
- The decision to use Tesla Cybertrucks for test purposes indicates a shifting interest in electric vehicles in military lifestyle, especially in the context of war-and-conflicts.
- The unique design of the Cybertruck, with its stainless steel exoskeleton and futuristic shape, constitutes it a particularly intriguing target for precision gadgets and technology, such as the AGM-114 Hellfire and the GBU-39/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb.
- In response to potential adversaries, employing Cybertrucks as target vehicles can offer a valuable assessment of how general-news events, like the development of superior vehicles, influence battlefield dynamics.
- After the training sessions, political debates may arise about the implications of militarily showcasing a distinct lifestyle choice, such as investing in cutting-edge, electric automobiles, in conflict zones.
