The U.S. Air Force is taking steps to acquire Tesla Cybertrucks—for the express purpose of blowing them up. But while the vehicles in this context are meant to be destroyed, the Air Force seeking out the Tesla brand is just another example of how Big Tech and the Department of Defense have become unlikely bedfellows, one defense spending expert said.
The U.S. Air Force Material Command, part of the Department of Defence, is looking to acquire two Cybertrucks “for target vehicle training flight test events,” according to documents filed to the System for Award Management on Wednesday. The Air Force is also seeking out 31 other vehicles, including sedans and bongo trucks, to similarly likely use as missile targets. Enemies may “likely” transition to using vehicles like Cybertrucks, which are more resistant to certain types of damages, according to the filings.
“Testing needs to mirror real world situations,” one document said. “The intent of the training is to prep the units for operations by simulating scenarios as closely as possible to the real world situations.”
Citing market research conducted in February by a redacted source, one document said Tesla Cybertrucks are specifically called for in this type of battleground testing because of its “aggressively angular and futuristic design, paired with its unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton,” that differentiates it from other models. The vehicles do not need to be fully operational, but rather be intact and able to move on their wheels, per the document.
