The U.S. military’s interest in Tesla Cybertrucks has taken a new turn, as they now want to requisition the electric vehicles for testing purposes. But these tests won’t involve off-road readiness or durability trials. Instead, the military plans to blow up the Cybertrucks with missiles to evaluate their resilience and impact resistance.
The decision to acquire Cybertrucks for testing comes after rumors earlier this year of a failed $400 million purchase of armored Tesla vehicles by the U.S. State Department. While that deal fell through, the military’s interest remains strong, albeit for a different purpose.
According to documents uncovered by The War Zone, the U.S. Air Force is specifically interested in acquiring Tesla Cybertrucks. The military believes that potential adversaries may transition to using Cybertrucks in the future due to their superior damage resistance compared to traditional vehicles like the Toyota Tacoma or Ford F-150. In order to prepare for this potential threat, the military wants to conduct tests on the Cybertrucks to understand their capabilities better.
The justification document for the requisition states, “In the operating theatre it is likely the type of vehicles used by the enemy may transition to Tesla Cybertrucks as they have been found not to receive the normal extent of damage expected upon major impact.” The military aims to simulate real-world scenarios as closely as possible to prepare their units for potential operations involving Cybertrucks.
The Cybertruck has already gained attention for its tactical capabilities in various situations. From surviving gunfire tests to containing explosions, the Cybertruck has proven its durability in unconventional ways. Even a Chechen warlord mounted a machine gun on a Cybertruck, claiming that Elon Musk remotely disabled the vehicle when it was sent to the frontline of a conflict.
The Air Force’s plan to test the Cybertrucks at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico involves subjecting the vehicles to missile attacks. The military is not concerned about the trucks being operational, only that they can be towed behind another vehicle. This means even malfunctioning Cybertrucks can serve as targets for the testing.
Overall, the decision to test Tesla Cybertrucks in military scenarios is aimed at understanding the potential impact of electric vehicles on the battlefield. While electric vehicles may not alter the explosive power of missiles, their unique features like stainless steel bodies could influence military strategies. By conducting these tests, the U.S. military aims to stay ahead of potential threats and adapt to evolving technologies on the battlefield.
When Elon Musk first unveiled the Tesla Cybertruck back in 2019, it caused quite a stir. The futuristic design, made from cold-rolled stainless steel, polarized opinions and generated a lot of buzz. Fast forward to the present day, and the Cybertruck is still making headlines, albeit for a different reason. Sales of the Cybertruck have fallen dramatically, reaching their lowest level in a year.
So, what went wrong with the Cybertruck, a vehicle that was once hailed as the future of transportation? Some experts believe that Tesla may have missed the mark with this particular model. While Tesla has always been known for disrupting the transportation industry, perhaps the Cybertruck was a disruption that consumers weren’t quite ready for.
One of the main reasons for the decline in Cybertruck sales could be its polarizing design. While some people were drawn to the bold and unconventional look of the Cybertruck, others found it off-putting and impractical. The lack of traditional door handles, for example, left many scratching their heads and wondering how they would actually open the doors.
Another factor that may have contributed to the decline in sales is the Cybertruck’s hefty price tag. With a starting price of $39,900, the Cybertruck is not exactly affordable for the average consumer. While Tesla has a loyal fan base who are willing to pay a premium for its products, the Cybertruck may have been a bit too much of a stretch for some potential buyers.
Despite its shortcomings, the Cybertruck is not a total failure. In fact, Tesla has recently hinted at the possibility of releasing a smaller version of the Cybertruck, which could potentially attract a wider audience. By offering a more compact and affordable option, Tesla may be able to revive interest in its electric pickup truck line.
Ultimately, the Cybertruck may not have been the game-changing disruptor that Tesla had hoped for. However, it is important to remember that innovation often comes with risks, and not every new idea will be a success. As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of transportation technology, it is inevitable that there will be some bumps along the way. And who knows, perhaps the next big thing from Tesla will be the one to truly revolutionize the way we think about transportation.