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The U.S. Air Force Wants to Buy Cybertrucks So America Can Use Them for Target Practice

CarCooler | 2025-08-07 19:28 | 278 views

Comments (83)
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Capable-Reach7509 2025-08-07 19:31

Sale is a sale

mohelgamal 2025-08-07 19:34

The headline is misleading, the air force wants to test weapons against them to see how they react to various weapons in case they are used by enemies in the future like the Toyota trucks. Considering battery materials, etc, knowing what happens when they blow up in large numbers would be useful. And wouldn’t be particularly a large number of trucks that would be put to that purpose. Especially if you need to have them moving for some of the tests without a driver

DavidDaEpicBoi 2025-08-07 19:37

So… target practice?

CarCooler 2025-08-07 19:37

Yep.

Kandiak 2025-08-07 19:42

Gotta move those things by hook or by crook. They’re not going to move themselves

Kuriente 2025-08-07 19:44

Sure, but specifically destructive testing for threat analysis of CT. The headline misses that nuance and will leave some thinking they just want to shoot at some trucks and chose CT for...reasons. Simple target practice implies practicing your aiming and firing of a weapon. That's not the intent here. The intent in this case deals with the CT specifically, not the weapon operator.

ngzEF 2025-08-07 19:45

What terrorist in the right mind would swap a Hilux, the workhorse, the indestructible, the epitome of gorilla mobility for a Cybertruck?

Electrical_Quality_6 2025-08-07 19:46

so good even the army wants it

sidgup 2025-08-07 19:50

The goal isn't "target" practice. The goal is destructive testing. Like when you bend a product beyond it's limit is not "fun at factory", it's stress testing.

Binford6100User 2025-08-07 19:51

Finally found something it's good at!

Ok-Hair2851 2025-08-07 19:54

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Las_Vegas_Cybertruck_explosion A Cybertruck has already been used in a terrorist attack. I also don't know why you're expecting a terrorist to behave rationally, but Cybertruck are electric cars and therefore, their fires are very difficult to put out out. They're pretty valuable for terrorist attacks. Yeah they're expensive, but terrorists can you know, steal.

[deleted] 2025-08-07 19:54

[deleted]

goomyman 2025-08-07 19:59

Which would never happen because why would they replace a cheap vehicle with an expensive one that requires expensive infrastructure to recharge. Imagine how stupid it would be using a gas generator for 24 hours to recharge a cybertruck. Maybe bombing just 1 to see how much damage it would do to people around it. But even then. Don’t need more than 1.

kampfgruppekarl 2025-08-07 20:03

One in CA that doesn't have access to a Hilux

KingBooRadley 2025-08-07 20:07

The headline is misleading. The US government is buying them as a way to repay financially the man who put them in power.

Zachjsrf 2025-08-07 20:13

Why do you say that friend?

Dr_Pippin 2025-08-07 20:16

Why are you envisioning terrorists as only living in caves surrounded by sand with no infrastructure?

Pliskin01 2025-08-07 20:18

Gorilla -> Guerrilla

jabroni4545 2025-08-07 20:21

They're planning on testing 33 different types of vehicles, one of which is the cybertruck.

Tellittomy6pac 2025-08-07 20:22

A news article with a misleading title that makes Tesla look bad? What a surprise s\

Tellittomy6pac 2025-08-07 20:23

Wow and the company still gets their money so I think Tesla still wins here lmao

bgarza18 2025-08-07 20:24

Gorilla

ngzEF 2025-08-07 20:28

No it is perfect to move gorillas around

Pliskin01 2025-08-07 20:29

Understandable, have a nice day

MDInvesting 2025-08-07 20:31

Bullish.

wtfredditacct 2025-08-07 20:34

The article says they're only buying 2...

wtfredditacct 2025-08-07 20:34

Because they didn't read the article.

rawasubas 2025-08-07 20:47

The guy that bombed the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas at the beginning of the year.

MGoAzul 2025-08-07 20:51

But couldn’t they buy a cheaper, used Tesla to figure this out? Or buy the battery and figure this out.

Faangdevmanager 2025-08-07 20:54

You’re trying to be a smart a** but failed. Target practice is for marksmanship and what’s being evaluated is the shooter and the firearm. This is vulnerability assessment where they want to see how the car reacts to various impact points, how much penetration there is by caliber, etc. They do that for many vehicles and all factory-armored cars like the Volvo XC60 and XC90. The CyberTruck has some bullet resistant featured and the Air Force wants to see what works and what doesn’t when they want to attack one for real. So no, not target practice at all. Try harder

Faangdevmanager 2025-08-07 20:58

Terrorists don’t usually place a large purchase order with a manufacturer :) They steal what is available after they conquer territory. This is how ISIS came into possession of so many trucks. Tesla is seen as a mid-luxury brand in Arab countries and Tesla posted an increase in sales within the Golf Cooperation Council countries. That’s, upper middle class Arabs are buying Cybertrucks. Since the Top 10 terrorists organizations in the world are currently Islamist terrorists, there’s a high chance we will see cybertrucks used by terrorists soon.

mfkimill 2025-08-07 21:00

Elon can just remote disable the vehicle - much easier

[deleted] 2025-08-07 21:12

They said the batteries were going to be removed, but yeah your scenario totally makes sense. I mean, unless you factor in that Toyota trucks are more reliable simple machines than Cybertrucks, hence their adoption in war zones. Good on the Air Force to admit we will be stuck in pointless wars in the Middle East until the death spiral of this country reaches fruition!

[deleted] 2025-08-07 21:13

That sounds like woke ass science shit, are you sure Don the Con approved this?

ChunkyThePotato 2025-08-07 21:34

If there's code in the software that lets him do that remotely. *And* if the people using it didn't just take out the cellular modem, which they obviously would if they're worried about something like that.

barvazduck 2025-08-07 21:37

Destroying trucks, no matter how armored, is easy for the airforce. They need this test because it's much harder to be sure the occupants inside the armored car are hit while reducing collateral damage in cases when the truck is passing through a city full of civilians.

goomyman 2025-08-07 21:42

Because if the military is fighting you it’s a war zone and electricity will be cut.

CousinEddysMotorHome 2025-08-07 23:14

2. They're buying 2.

SeaHistorian1814 2025-08-07 23:26

Agreed, They look bad without misleading headlines, people should just be straightforward in reporting.

Kuriente 2025-08-07 23:28

Yep! And none are for practicing targeting, all are for analyzing how those vehicles respond to various munitions.

Present-Ad-9598 2025-08-07 23:33

They don’t blow up like gas tanks might, it’s a battery pack

AmericanUpheaval357 2025-08-07 23:45

Can get cheaper targets.

roxwella6 2025-08-07 23:48

Kuwait uses a fleet of CTs that they power with large diesel generators carried on flatbed trailers. Because they are bulletproof, all computer, and very easy to work on mechanically. Every military will want them, probably the plan since day one. Everyone agrees it is the best plan

Mammoth_Ingenuity_82 2025-08-08 00:07

Yuk yuk yuk...(yawn)

BreenzyENL 2025-08-08 00:43

In what universe are our enemies buying bulk cyber trucks? They barely sell domestically.

Sorry_Exercise_9603 2025-08-08 00:44

Just a way of funneling money to Elon.

PracticlySpeaking 2025-08-08 01:16

They aren't allowed in Israel because they qualify as "armored vehicles" so...

Elegant_Section8225 2025-08-08 02:21

at last! a use for cybertrucks

ponyboy3 2025-08-08 02:27

It’s pretty much what it is

casino_r0yale 2025-08-08 02:43

It's easier to lay out a set of solar panels in a base than it is to protect a fuel convoy or a pipeline.

goomyman 2025-08-08 03:46

You aren’t charging a cybertruck with solar panels. People always over estimate solar panels by so much which is why it’s so easy to scam with them. A decently sized solar panel can barely charge a cell phone. Here is ChatGPT’s answer: “Charging a Cybertruck with solar panels takes a very long time, with estimations ranging from days to months or even longer, depending on the solar panel setup, battery size, and sunlight availability. While solar panels can provide a trickle charge and extend the truck's range, they are not a practical way to fully and quickly charge the large Cybertruck battery from empty. A solar setup for this purpose would require a massive and expensive array of high-wattage panels, potentially hundreds of panels covering a very large area” Months… for 1 charge lol or a whole solar farm for 1 truck.

casino_r0yale 2025-08-08 03:49

I don't need you to cite ChatGPT. I charge my model 3 with a fairly small solar roof. It can charge 0-100 in 3 days. I'm thinking of a military base that's decently sized, say laying out 50 kW+ solar panels on the ground in one corner of the base, or as scaffolding above for shade.

goomyman 2025-08-08 04:58

Uhh that’s my point. Cybertruck has a 50% larger battery. Imagine taking 5 days to use a car - for an entire roof worth of solar panels. For what? To replace a simple gas powered truck? Im not saying it’s not impossible, im saying it’s entirely impractical.

casino_r0yale 2025-08-08 05:06

I said a small roof. Like, 1/1000th of the size of a small base. it's not about replacing. It (and EV humvees) can be used for short range reconnaissance operations where onboard electricity is valuable and situations where electric's greater torque is advantageous. It can also be a battery backup for base power. The military is already exploring this with GM

stainedhat 2025-08-08 05:32

I'm all for any cybertruck getting blown up

stainedhat 2025-08-08 05:34

*the army wants to blow it up

Every_Tap8117 2025-08-08 07:15

Article should be us Air Force to bail out Tesla cybertruck product line after cratering sales.

ScoobyGDSTi 2025-08-08 09:42

>The headline is misleading, the air force wants to test weapons against them to see how they react to various weapons in case they are used by enemies in the future like the Toyota trucks. Seems dumb given how unpopular and low volume the CyberCuck is.

theavatare 2025-08-08 10:48

Cool they should offer 30k a piece

wwwz 2025-08-08 13:07

I "pity da fool" who stops reading past headlines. Their lives must really be depressing.

Dr_Pippin 2025-08-08 13:19

When did this become about the military fighting you? Have you never heard of a car bomb?

420ness 2025-08-08 13:31

A news article for them buying 2 cybertrucks. Lol

Dr_Pippin 2025-08-08 13:31

> You aren’t charging a cybertruck with solar panels. > > Why not? Let this be a great lesson to you about not relying on ChatGPT. I produced 84 kWh yesterday with my rooftop solar panels, which are only on the roof of my garage and not angled/optimized for peak production. That's 2/3 of the battery of a Cybertruck. So yeah, you don't know what you're talking about, and neither does ChatGPT.

SchalaZeal01 2025-08-08 15:43

They'll buy a used one, if its in 100% structural shape. They don't need a new one.

Ljhughes8 2025-08-08 17:12

They could use generators in push. It's no like tthe military couldn't have a few 500kw chargers with a mega pack on a trailer like Tesla does for emergencies . Or a portable like the one out of spec it testing.

Laserh0rst 2025-08-08 17:50

I think they might resemble the same grade of armour of some of those makeshift armoured vehicles used in the Middle East. Probably flood damaged vehicles or something.

goomyman 2025-08-08 21:33

In a day man. 2/3rds the power to charge a cybertruck in a day. You can’t scale out an entire solar array to charge less than 1 truck a day. I mean you can but why the hell would you. How is this a good idea. There is a massive difference between possible and practical. Militaries run on practical and simple. What you’re describing is expensive and impractical for military or even commercial use. It’s totally fine for civilian use at home and even then you have grid power as an option if it’s not sunny or whatever. Yes you can create an entire solar farm - and I guess batteries to charge at night in order to support your fleet of 20 vehicles or whatever. Even Tesla super charging stations literally run off the grid - because you know… it’s not feasible to run on solar. Or just use gas like everyone else.

ashyee 2025-08-09 05:21

I would enlist if this happens

Far_Addition1210 2025-08-09 22:53

Elmobiles are absouloutely dog shite.

Dr_Pippin 2025-08-10 02:16

> In a day man. 2/3rds the power to charge a cybertruck in a day. And you said it would take months, hence my commenting.

1startreknerd 2025-08-10 03:06

Except the one in las Vegas contained the explosion. The Cybertruck was not ideal use for shrapnel in that case.

1startreknerd 2025-08-10 03:08

They are second for EV trucks. First last year.

igsgarage 2025-08-10 12:54

They are buying 2, without batteries.

Ok-Hair2851 2025-08-10 13:13

Like I said why try to rationalize the actions or an irrational person. If they're using it that's all that matters.

cafevirtuale 2025-08-10 20:13

I don't blame them. EVs produce less heat signature and their visual signature is different (a fancy way of saying they don't look like other trucks).  If the rumor mill started saying that CTs were some sort of stealth vehicle small countries would buy them in droves.

Mental_Pineapple_865 2025-08-10 23:20

Good luck stealing a Tesla.

Mental_Pineapple_865 2025-08-10 23:24

Assuming they get the password from the owner.

Mental_Pineapple_865 2025-08-10 23:26

Imagine how stupid it would be to ferry thousands of gallons of fuel into a hot LZ when there’s power on site.

Mental_Pineapple_865 2025-08-10 23:28

I charge my car with solar every day.

goomyman 2025-08-10 23:50

Of course you can charge your car from solar if you have a roof top solar installation and a wall charger. For a single car - at your home with a grid backup and a 20k solar installation. Sure why not. Probably will pay for itself in 15 years. I’m saying it’s not practical at scale or reliable enough for commercial let alone military use. You’d need a literal solar farm to charge a fleet of cars. This is why everyone falls for solar scams. Why don’t we just put solar panels on the side of all the highways! Why don’t we just put solar panels in the road! Or on bus stops! Or turn skyscraper windows into solar panels! It’s genius. Because the cost, maintenance, space, reliability, etc don’t make economic sense at scale. There is a reason that portalable solar panels can barely charge a cell phone a few percent an hour. Yes you can buy one. Yes they exist. No they aren’t practical. But a solar powered calculator is nice. The point isn’t that you can’t - of course you can charge your car or power a home on solar panels. But if you’re going to power 100 homes or charge 100 cars you’ll need a lot more infrastructure and it’s more economical to consolidate that infrastructure in some type of I dunno - power grid.

Desperate_Exercise13 2025-08-11 11:58

What a waste of money.

thunder_y 2025-08-19 11:40

Im no expert but I don’t think any form of military or terrorist Organisation will ever consider this thing over a reliable and practically indestructible Toyota pickup this is just the airforce blowing shit up for fun and not to be prepared if an enemy uses it. (Which they won’t, because of what I said above and also why would they buy a connected car produced by their enemy, which can be and probably is being tracked 24/7 by Tesla)

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