Technology has long played a dual role as both the engine of economic growth, and the source of modern military power. While some companies, like Lockheed Martin, make most of their money selling products specially designed for military use, it is far more common for businesses to supplement their commercial activities with military contracts only where the opportunity arises.
Such was the case in 1996 when the United States Marine Corps adapted the first-person shooter game Doom II for tactical training purposes. The modified game let trainees coordinate real-time simulated assaults on virtual targets, giving them practice issuing orders via radio, using teamwork to breach the defenses of fortified buildings, and in general just kicking ass.
A full decade earlier, the US incorporated the Humvee in its fleet as a battlefield vehicle to replace the Jeeps it had been using to that point. The Humvee was later adapted for civilian use, rebranded as a Hummer and looking like a beast on the roads. It would not be the last product to blur the line between commercial and military applications.
Cybertrucks as combat vehicles
Enter the Cybertruck: A high-powered stainless steel polygon with a bullet resistant exterior and a five-star safety rating — an asset if your team is driving these rugged, angular units into battle, but a potentially massive headache if the opposing army is using them against you.
In the spirit of preparation, the U.S. Air Force plans to purchase two Tesla Cybertrucks (as part of a 33‑vehicle order) for live missile testing at White Sands Missile Range to simulate realistic battlefield conditions.
The decision stems from concerns that adversaries might adopt the Cybertruck — or manufacture other vehicles using the same technology — to benefit from its versatility, 48-volt electrical system, and reinforced exoskeleton.
Why the Cybertruck?
When Tesla launched the Cybertruck, it was marketed as an ultra-tough electric pickup with a durable exterior and armor glass windows. The Air Force later highlighted these same qualities as key factors in its procurement decision.
The Cybertruck’s potential to be modified into tactical vehicles has already been proven in both military and police contexts, which take full advantage of its armor plating. And it will need every bit of that durability, as the US military intends to hit it with the laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missile, precision attacks from the air-or-ground-launched AGM-176 Griffin missile, the GPS-guided GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition with a range of over 30 kilometers, and the GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb, which does pretty much what the name suggests.
The military will collect data from these exercises, adjusting their field tactics based on which methods and munitions prove to be the most effective against the Cybertruck. Tesla’s engineers will also no doubt be interested in the results, as the data could help them address any vulnerabilities in future models.
Commercial tech for combat scenarios
The US Defense Department has long shown interest in commercial technologies which have a dual use; i.e., products designed for consumers but are also valuable in military contexts. These include drones, resilient laptops, satellite tools, and more. In fiscal year 2022, 86% of its awards went to non-traditional or commercial tech companies.
Other countries likewise recognize the value of using civilian technology for national security purposes: Japan, for example, is actively seeking dual-use technology manufacturers as part of a larger military expansion strategy, indicating global momentum toward integrating civilian innovation into defense.
Broader implications
Military testing could yield insights into structural reinforcement, material durability, and battery protection that feed back into future consumer EV design — not just for Tesla, but for all automakers.
As EVs, drones, and robotics grow in sophistication, the gap between civilian convenience and military capability is shrinking. The same design that wins a buyer’s admiration might also earn a defence contractor’s attention.
This crossover routinely goes in the other direction as well: Many civilian technologies, like GPS, originated in military R&D before entering mainstream consumer markets.
Ultimately, all useful technology functions as a tool for getting things done. Apart from the actual weapons of war, what works on the battlefield will most likely have utility in everyday life, and vice versa.
This insight underscores how important it is for countries to cultivate their own domestic technology and manufacturing base. A modern, high-quality education system is needed to develop new generations of entrepreneurs, innovators, and engineers. A stable, growing economy is needed for tech businesses to thrive, and to provide a market for the goods they produce. A healthy system of banking and investment is needed to nurture important industries through their initial stages of development. And a responsive governing body is needed to guide regulatory decisions in a way that will facilitate productive risk-taking.
No country has perfected this formula just yet, but new and inventive creations like the Cybertruck show how cutting-edge engineering, supported by a strong technological ecosystem, can create transformative products that push nations forward in unexpected ways.
