The US Air Force wants Bongos and Tesla Cybertrucks… for target practice

The United States Air Force wants 33 vehicles so it can test its ‘Standoff Precision Guided Munition’. Basically, it wants a load of cars it can safely blow up for target practice.

Only, among that load of cars it can safely blow up for target practice, the United States Air Force has specifically – and rather hilariously – called out two models it wants in particular: Mazda’s glorious Bongo, and the Tesla Cybertruck.

Yes, the US Air Force wants to use the Tesla Cybertruck as target practice.

Why? Because, as the documentation 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”.

And lo, “testing needs to mirror real world situations”.

Explaining why only Tesla’s pointy electric leviathan was singled out, the USAF said it undertook market research earlier this year and found the Cybertruck’s “aggressively angular and futuristic design, paired with its unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, sets it apart from competitors using painted steel or aluminium bodies”. Basically, there’s nothing else quite like it.

It did note that it doesn’t mind a little “bumper damage” on the Cybertrucks to be supplied, but it does require the removal of the car’s giant battery prior to being blown into oblivion.

Other cars the USAF wants as part of the 33 cars include saloons, SUVs, and regular pickups. Why the Bongo trucks, though?