In Huntsville, Alabama, the FBI has constructed a 22,000-square-foot replica town, complete with houses, a gas station, and a power company, solely to simulate and investigate cyberattacks. The Kinetic Cyber Range is a significant investment in preparing for complex digital threats against critical infrastructure, particularly those affecting small towns in 2026 and beyond. The FBI opened a Cyber Range for simulating cyberattacks last year, according to The Verge, though TechCrunch reports the specific Kinetic Cyber Range opened in February 2025.

The abstract and often invisible nature of cyber warfare is being tackled through a highly concrete and physical training environment. The tension between the digital and the tangible highlights a profound shift in national security strategy.

The significant investment points to a future where cyber defense strategies will increasingly integrate physical and digital simulation to prepare for complex, real-world attacks. It acknowledges that future conflicts will increasingly manifest as cyberattacks with tangible, kinetic consequences on civilian life.

A Town Built for Cyber War

  • The FBI created a 22,000-square-foot replica town on its Huntsville, Alabama campus to train law enforcement in simulating and investigating cyberattacks, according to TechCrunch.
  • Named the Kinetic Cyber Range, the replica town opened in February 2025 and features houses, a hotel, a gas station, a grocery mart, a courthouse, a hospital, and a power company, TechCrunch reported.

The meticulous recreation of a small town environment allows for comprehensive training across various critical infrastructure sectors. The breadth of the training indicates the FBI's focus extends beyond economic disruption, preparing for attacks that could cripple essential public services and civil order.

The Digital Heart of the Simulation

The facility includes a small data center with over 200 servers that can be hacked, infected with malware, and studied, according to The Verge. The robust digital backend enables agents to engage with realistic, hackable systems.