President Trump announced Wednesday that the Department of War will build a new military “super range” in Montana to test advanced weapons, including autonomous systems, space and electronic warfare technology, and supersonic and hypersonic weapons.
Trump made the announcement at a midterm campaign rally at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell, calling it “a little breaking news.”
“I’m pleased to inform you and announce that right here in Montana, the Department of War is going to establish a new super range for testing advanced weapons and technologies,” Trump told the crowd.
Trump said other states had wanted the project for themselves.
“The rest of our country maybe won’t be thrilled because a lot of other people wanted it also,” he said.
He credited Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy with relentlessly lobbying for the range, joking about the pressure campaign.
“You’re getting it, everybody, will you please leave me alone?” Trump said. “Leave me alone, Tim. Tim Sheehy would drive me crazy.”
Hypersonic weapons travel at least five times the speed of sound and are among the advanced capabilities the Pentagon is developing, according to the Government Accountability Office. The War Department has also flagged autonomous systems and electronic warfare as strategic priorities.
Trump gave no details on where exactly in Montana the range would be built, what it would cost, or when testing would begin. He told the crowd, “Montana will help ensure the American military always reigned supreme.”
The announcement came during Trump’s second rally of the day and third stop on a Western campaign swing. He appeared in Montana’s 1st Congressional District to back House candidate Aaron Flint and Senate candidate Kurt Alme, following an earlier rally in Arizona and a stop in Alaska the day before.
