Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-15**Lead**
Former President Donald Trump announced plans for a sprawling new military testing range in Montana during a midterm campaign rally in Billings on Thursday, describing the facility as a “Super Range” that would allow the Pentagon to test advanced war technologies in a secure, expansive environment. The proposal, which Trump said would be funded through a combination of redirected defense appropriations and private investment, is intended to accelerate the development of hypersonic weapons, directed‑energy systems, and autonomous drones. The announcement comes as the United States faces intensifying competition with China and Russia in next‑generation military capabilities.
**Context**
Trump’s rally in Montana, a state he won by wide margins in both 2016 and 2020, was part of a broader push to support Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections. The former president has long emphasized military modernization as a pillar of his “America First” agenda, and the Montana proposal echoes his previous calls for a “space force” and expanded missile defense systems. The “Super Range” would be located on a large tract of federally owned land in eastern Montana, an area already used for limited military exercises and known for its sparse population and clear airspace. Pentagon officials have not yet publicly commented on the feasibility or cost of the project, but defense analysts note that the Department of Defense has been seeking additional testing ranges for years, particularly for systems that require vast distances and minimal civilian interference.
Montana’s congressional delegation, including Senator Steve Daines and Representative Matt Rosendale, both Republicans, have expressed support for the concept, citing potential economic benefits for rural communities. Environmental groups, however, have raised concerns about the impact on wildlife habitats and the region’s water resources. The Bureau of Land Management, which oversees much of the proposed area, would need to conduct environmental reviews before any construction could begin. Trump’s announcement did not include a specific timeline or budget, but he characterized the project as “shovel‑ready” and suggested that contracts could be awarded within months of his return to office.
The idea of a dedicated “super range” is not new. The U.S. military currently operates several major testing facilities, including the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in California. However, both are constrained by encroaching development and airspace restrictions. A Montana facility would offer a larger, more isolated environment, potentially allowing for tests of hypersonic glide vehicles that travel at speeds above Mach 5 and require hundreds of miles of unobstructed flight path. The Pentagon’s 2026 budget request included funding for a new “test and evaluation” infrastructure, though no specific location was named.
**Analysis**
The Montana “Super Range” announcement is strategically significant for several reasons. First, it addresses a critical gap in the U.S. military’s ability to test emerging technologies. Hypersonic weapons, for example, have been a top priority for the Pentagon, but current test ranges are often too small or too congested to allow for full‑envelope testing. A dedicated range in Montana could reduce the time needed to move from prototype to operational capability, giving the United States a potential edge over adversaries who are also racing to field similar systems. Second, the proposal reinforces Trump’s image as a champion of military strength, a key message for his base and for Republican candidates in the midterms. By tying the announcement to a rally, Trump is signaling that defense policy remains a central issue in the campaign.
However, the plan faces significant hurdles. Environmental reviews alone could take years, and the cost of building and securing a range of this scale could run into the billions of dollars. Moreover, the Pentagon’s current acquisition system is notoriously slow, and even with political backing, major infrastructure projects often face delays. Critics argue that the “Super Range” is more of a campaign promise than a realistic policy proposal, pointing to Trump’s previous unfulfilled pledges, such as the “Space Force” being established only after congressional action. Still, the announcement puts pressure on the Biden administration and the Pentagon to respond, potentially accelerating existing plans for range expansion.
From a geopolitical perspective, the Montana range would also serve as a deterrent signal. China has been expanding its own testing capabilities in the Gobi Desert, and Russia has conducted multiple hypersonic tests in recent years. A U.S. facility capable of testing a wide array of advanced weapons would demonstrate that the United States is not ceding the technological race. The location in Montana, far from both coasts and with limited foreign surveillance opportunities, adds an element of security that existing ranges lack.
**Fontes**
- Associated Press, “Trump pitches Montana ‘super range’ for military testing at rally,” October 15, 2026. - Reuters, “Trump unveils plan for new weapons testing range in Montana,” October 15, 2026. - Department of Defense, “2026 Budget Request: Test and Evaluation Infrastructure,” February 2026. - Congressional Research Service, “Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress,” updated September 2026. - Bureau of Land Management, “Eastern Montana Land Use and Environmental Review,” public records.