The U.S. Air Force finds a purpose for Tesla Cybertrucks: The USAF wants to blow them up

Elon Musk admitted in 2023 that Tesla had “dug their own grave” with the Cybertruck, as sales of the battery-electric pickup truck have been considerably slower than expected. Last year, approximately 39,000 units were sold, far short of the 125,000 annual target.

In the first quarter of 2025, reports circulated that the U.S. government was planning to spend $400 million on 5,000 armored Tesla vehicles. However, the deal never materialized, possibly due to Musk’s high-profile falling out with former President Trump.

U.S. Air Force wants to destroy two Tesla vehicles

Now, however, it seems the federal government is about to part with money for Musk’s toys, but to use them as missile targets for the U.S. Air Force. Presumably, that’s not what the X owner had in mind.

The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is reportedly looking to purchase 33 target vehicles for use as precision munitions targets during testing and training at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. That number includes two Cybertrucks, whose base model is priced at around $80,000.

Why the AFTC needs Cybertrucks

There is, however, a logic behind the USAF’s willingness to destroy $160,000 worth of vehicles. According to the service, it needs these specific models because there is a reasonable probability that unnamed enemies could be driving them in the future.

In a single-source justification document published online by the AFTC, Tesla Cybertrucks were pinpointed for the munitions program because “it is likely the type of vehicle used by the enemy may transition to Tesla Cybertrucks, as they have been found not to sustain the normal extent of damage expected upon major impact.”

According to AFTC research, “the Cybertruck’s aggressively angular and futuristic design, paired with its unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, sets it apart from competitors that typically use painted steel or aluminum bodies.”

“Testing needs to mirror real-world situations,” the document continues. “The intent of the training is to prepare units for operations by simulating scenarios as closely as possible to real-world conditions.”

Finally, some praise for the much-maligned Cybertruck - two of which are about to be destroyed.

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