President Donald Trump announced plans for a new 'super range' weapons testing complex in Montana during a campaign rally in Kalispell on October 15, 2026. The proposal aims to expand capacity for testing autonomous systems, hypersonic weapons, laser and directed energy platforms, and electronic warfare technologies. Military officials cite insufficient existing facilities as a growing obstacle to developing weapons systems that can operate at longer ranges and in contested electromagnetic environments.

The announcement follows increased Pentagon focus on autonomous warfare infrastructure. During the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference in Washington, D.C., Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle revealed the creation of a new Futures and Autonomous Systems Command to centralize related efforts. The command will require expanded testing capabilities to evaluate systems operating across thousands of miles, a shift from historical testing scopes.

Senator Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican, has advocated for the project, citing the state’s vast undeveloped land as advantageous. He referenced a $10 million feasibility study authorized in the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act, though no funding has been finalized. Sheehy emphasized Montana’s suitability for testing advanced capabilities, stating the state could help maintain military superiority.

Existing facilities in Montana already conduct relevant testing. The Montana Spaceport & Test Range and Limestone Hills Innovation & Test Campus support space vehicle, hypersonic, and drone testing. The Big Sky Autonomous Systems Range (BSASR), a 6,000-acre facility near Bozeman, provides infrastructure for unmanned aerial systems and live-fire exercises. Additional options include expanding the Hays Military Operations Area or integrating Malmstrom Air Force Base’s ICBM fields.

The Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test & Evaluation noted in a recent report that current open-air ranges are inadequate for testing long-range systems, including hypersonic missiles and electronic warfare platforms. The report recommends expanding and connecting range airspace, developing overland missile corridors, and improving coordination with the FAA to support system-of-systems assessments.

Hypersonic weapons testing has previously been limited to maritime environments due to range constraints. The Pentagon has explored alternative locations, including White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and sites in Australia, where recent tests of scramjet-powered weapons like the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile have occurred. Electronic warfare testing faces similar limitations due to domestic jamming restrictions, though plans for specialized ranges abroad are under consideration.

The proposed Montana complex would complement other initiatives, including the establishment of a new functional combatant command for autonomous warfare. While details remain unspecified, military officials indicate the project could address critical gaps in testing infrastructure needed to keep pace with evolving threats. The White House, Pentagon, and Montana officials have not provided timelines, cost estimates, or precise locations for the facility.