Kalispell — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the Pentagon will establish a new military "super range" in Montana to test advanced weapons and warfare technologies.
Trump made the announcement to supporters at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell, saying the installation will support testing of potential autonomous weapons, space and electronic warfare technologies, and supersonic and hypersonic systems.
What the president said
"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.
The president framed the decision as a win for Montana, noting other parts of the country had vied for the project and crediting persistent advocacy from Montana's Republican delegation.
Trump singled out Sen. Tim Sheehy, saying the senator had repeatedly pressed him to bring the project to the state and joking, "You're getting it, everybody, will you please leave me alone? Leave me alone, Tim. Tim Sheehy would drive me crazy."
Technologies mentioned
Trump specifically identified a range of technologies the facility would support. A Government Accountability Office report referenced in the announcement notes that hypersonic weapons — which travel at least five times the speed of sound — are among capabilities under development by the Pentagon.
| Technology | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Autonomous systems | Testing of weaponized or support systems with varying autonomy |
| Space and electronic warfare | Countermeasures, communications and spectrum operations |
| Supersonic / hypersonic systems | High-speed weapons development and testing |
Local impact and unanswered questions
- The announcement could mean increased federal activity and jobs in parts of Montana, though Trump did not provide a timetable or specific site.
- Details about environmental reviews, land use, state or tribal consultations, and funding were not disclosed at the rally.
- Officials from the Department of Defense or the Pentagon were not on stage to provide implementation specifics.
Residents and local officials will likely expect more information about where in Montana the range would be located, the scope of testing, regulatory reviews and any potential impacts on communities, wildlife or public lands. Trump’s remarks make Montana a focal point for the Pentagon’s next-generation testing ambitions, but concrete plans and federal paperwork have not been released publicly as of the president’s announcement.
Coverage will continue as the Pentagon, federal agencies and Montana officials respond with details and timelines.
