The Department of War will establish a new military super range in Montana to test advanced weapons and warfare technologies, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. Speaking at a midterm campaign rally, the president stated that the facility would support the development of autonomous weapons, space and electronic warfare systems, and supersonic and hypersonic platforms.
Trump described the project as "a little breaking news" to supporters gathered at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell. He noted that other parts of the country had expressed interest in hosting the facility. "The rest of our country maybe won't be thrilled because a lot of other people wanted it also," he said.
The president credited Montana Republican lawmakers with securing the project for the state, specifically mentioning Sen. Tim Sheehy. Trump joked that Sheehy had persistently lobbied him to bring the initiative to Montana, quipping, "Leave me alone, Tim. Tim Sheehy would drive me crazy." The interaction highlighted the role of state political figures in influencing federal defense infrastructure decisions.
The technologies slated for testing include hypersonic weapons, which the Government Accountability Office describes as capable of traveling at least five times the speed of sound. The War Department has likewise prioritized autonomous systems and electronic warfare capabilities as key areas of strategic focus. By consolidating these tests in a single location, the initiative aims to streamline the development process for these complex systems.
Details regarding the specific location of the range within Montana, its total cost, and the timeline for commencing operations were not provided during the rally. Trump emphasized the strategic value of the project, telling the crowd, "Montana will help ensure the American military always reigned supreme." The lack of logistical specifics leaves key questions about implementation and local impact unresolved.
The announcement occurred during Trump's second campaign rally of the day and his third stop on a Western swing designed to support Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. He campaigned in Montana's 1st Congressional District for House candidate Aaron Flint and Senate candidate Kurt Alme. This visit followed a rally in Arizona earlier Wednesday and a stop in Alaska on Tuesday, underscoring the administration's focus on securing political support in key swing districts while advancing its defense agenda.