It’s hard to ignore Tesla’s Cybertruck; it basically begs for attention. And given its rather unique design – along with all the hullabaloo that comes with the distinct division between those who love it and those who abhor it – it’s not hard to see why. So why not throw in another element for potential debate. Ladies and gentlemen, enter the U.S. Air Force.
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The Air Force, you ask? Yes, friends, this branch of the U.S. military is granting these futuristic Tesla vehicles a new role something beyond the most distinctive ride on the rode. They will now act as the recipients of live missile fire testing. Too weird to be true? Let’s explore, shall we…
Why would the Air Force choose Cybertrucks for missile testing?
Well, Tesla has openly marketed this bizarre looking truck as bulletproof. That’s the first element. The second thing is that should this claim be true – especially in the case that the stainless steel exterior is fitted with even more Teflon-like abilities to deflect heavy weaponry – you can bet your bottom dollar that the U.S. military wants to know about it first hand.
So the question the Air Force hopes to answer is: How capable and/or destructible are these Cybertrucks?
What are the Tesla Cybertruck missile testing requirements?
In terms of target practice, the Air Force has no need of fully operational vehicles. It’s the exoskeleton they’re interested in and its penetrability. That said, there are certain conditions the vehicle must meet: the Cybertruck must have fully intact windows, mirrors, and functional wheels, while the massive 1,600-pound batteries and any fluids in the vehicles must be removed.
It is vastly interesting to note here, however, that despite the Cybertrucks’ perceived invincibility, (and the robust marketing to go along with it), these vehicles have demonstrated marked vulnerabilities in real-world situation. Things like breaking down during a car wash and incurring damage from everyday road conditions.
What weapons is the Air Force planning to throw at the Cybertrucks?
Focusing primarily on air to ground weapons, the Air Force has stated it will try out the AGM-114 Hellfire, AGM-176 Griffin, and the GBU-39/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb. The tests are meant to be carried out at the Air Force Test Center in New Mexico, in case you were wondering where this shoot-out is planned to take place.
Why choose a civilian vehicle for weapons testing?
It seems that the military (and probably anyone carefully monitoring video footage and photographs from war-torn territories) that the bad guys are increasingly moving towards the militarization of ordinary vehicles. Pickup trucks like Fords and Toyotas, Land Cruisers and other “regular” cars have been spotted in use and amped up with all kinds of offensive and defensive extras. So, in a way, for a truck that already claims to be bulletproof (the Cybetruck, of course) it would make sense that the Air Force would be curious as to the actual level of its defenses.
We’ll have to watch this space, see how this testing fares for the Tesla Cybertruck. It will be diverting, if nothing else. And in the meantime, for all your tag and title needs, we’ve got your back. Head over to our homepage and let’s get started on your transfer, duplicate, replacement, Specialty plate, and more. Because as always, at eTags, we’re here to help!
