Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-15**Lead**
Former President Donald Trump announced a sweeping proposal to establish a ‘super range’ in Montana dedicated to testing next-generation war technology for the Pentagon, during a midterm campaign rally in Billings on Tuesday. The plan, which Trump described as a cornerstone of his national security agenda, would consolidate live-fire exercises, electronic warfare simulations, and drone swarm trials into a single, sprawling facility. The announcement comes as Trump seeks to energize his base ahead of the November midterms and position himself as the candidate best equipped to modernize the U.S. military.
**Context**
The proposed ‘super range’ would be built on existing Department of Defense land in eastern Montana, an area already home to the Malmstrom Air Force Base and extensive training airspace. Trump framed the initiative as a response to what he called “decades of underinvestment” in testing infrastructure, pointing to China’s rapid expansion of its own test ranges for hypersonic missiles and directed-energy weapons. During the rally, Trump referenced the Pentagon’s current reliance on fragmented test sites across multiple states, arguing that a unified facility would cut development timelines and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Montana has long been a strategic location for military testing due to its sparse population, clear airspace, and existing missile silos. The state’s Republican governor, Greg Gianforte, has previously advocated for expanded defense spending in the region. Trump’s proposal aligns with broader Republican calls to increase the defense budget, though it also raises questions about environmental impact and land use. The Pentagon has not officially commented on the plan, but defense analysts note that the Department of Defense has been exploring options for a “megasite” for advanced testing since at least 2023, as part of the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) program.
Trump’s announcement is also a political maneuver in a state where he won by a wide margin in 2020. By tying the super range to local jobs and national security, he aims to boost turnout for Republican candidates in competitive House and Senate races. Montana’s Senate race, in particular, is a key battleground, with incumbent Democrat Jon Tester facing a tough challenge. The super range proposal gives Trump a tangible, local issue to rally around, distinct from the national debates on abortion and immigration.
**Analysis**
The super range concept represents a significant shift in how the Pentagon could approach weapons testing. Currently, hypersonic glide vehicles are tested at facilities like the Reagan Test Site in the Pacific, while directed-energy weapons are evaluated at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Consolidating these capabilities into one location could reduce costs and improve data integration, but it also concentrates risk. A single facility would become a high-value target in a conflict, and environmental reviews could delay construction for years.
From a political perspective, the announcement reinforces Trump’s image as a defense hawk willing to challenge the Pentagon’s status quo. However, it also invites scrutiny over cost. While Trump did not provide a price tag, similar megasite proposals have been estimated to require tens of billions of dollars in initial investment. With the national debt exceeding $35 trillion, the plan could face opposition from fiscal conservatives. Moreover, the Pentagon’s own acquisition reform efforts have struggled to deliver results, and a new super range could become another bureaucratic layer rather than a solution.
The timing of the announcement—just weeks before the midterms—suggests that Trump is using defense policy as a wedge issue. By framing the super range as a way to “beat China and Russia,” he taps into bipartisan concern about strategic competition. Yet the proposal also risks alienating environmentalists and local communities worried about noise, water use, and disruption to wildlife. Montana’s agricultural and outdoor recreation industries may push back, potentially complicating the plan’s legislative path even if Republicans win control of Congress.
**Sources**
- Trump campaign press release (October 15, 2026) - Department of Defense, “Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) Overview” (2023) - C-SPAN coverage of Trump rally in Billings, Montana (October 15, 2026) - Associated Press report on Montana military infrastructure - Congressional Research Service, “Hypersonic Weapons Testing Infrastructure” (2025)