Bunker Buster Bombs Explained: Why The US Deployed GBU-57 Against Iran

Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, the US has carried out airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear sites.

It has used the most powerful conventional weapon, which is known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), or bunker buster bomb.

The US named this high-impact military operation ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’.

In a press briefing on Saturday, US President Trump revealed operational details, saying that six MOP bunker buster bombs, each weighing 30,000 pounds, were deployed on Fordow.

Moreover, there were 30 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) were fired by US Navy submarines to target Natanz and Esfahan, which he claims “destroyed all three nuclear facilities completely.

For the unversed, the Fordow facility, long suspected of housing uranium enrichment infrastructure deep within the mountains near Qom, is widely considered one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites.

Analysts believed it could only be effectively penetrated by the MOP, a weapon exclusively in the US arsenal.

What is the MOP or Bunker Buster Bomb?

The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US inventory. Built by Boeing and guided by GPS, it is engineered specifically to target deeply buried and hardened bunkers.

According to a US Air Force fact sheet cited by CBS News, the MOP measures 20.5 feet in length and 31.5 inches in diameter, and weighs just under 30,000 pounds, including 5,300 pounds of high-explosive material.

The bomb can burrow more than 200 feet through reinforced concrete before detonating. Its casing, made from high-performance steel alloy, helps it withstand the immense impact forces upon penetration.

The Air Force notes the MOP’s explosive yield is more than 10 times greater than that of its predecessor, the BLU-109.

B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is the only one capable of carrying and deploying the MOP.

The B-2’s stealth capability allows it to evade radar and air defences, making it the ideal platform for strikes on heavily protected sites like Fordow.

Each B-2 can carry up to two MOPs in its internal weapons bay.

An unconfirmed report by The New York Times claimed that the B-2 bombers which struck Iran’s nuclear sites flew non-stop for 37 hours straight from their base in Missouri, refuelling multiple times mid-air during the long-range mission.

Why did the US use B-2 Spirit to destroy Iran’s Nuclear Facilities?

The B-2 Spirit, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, can carry both regular and nuclear weapons while staying under the radar, due to its stealthy design.

Each B-2 costs about $2.1 billion, making it the priciest military plane, the report stated.

Only 21 of them were ever built because of budget cuts after the Cold War, with one lost in a 2008 crash at Guam.

With a flying range of over 6,000 nautical miles non-stop, and the ability to refuel in the air, the B-2 can hit heavily fortified targets like nuclear sites.

It can carry up to 40,000 pounds of bombs, including the GBU-57A/B.

The bomber can reportedly carry other types of bombs, like JDAMs, JSOWs, and JASSMs, which makes it useful for different kinds of missions.

It is a vital part of America’s nuclear defence, able to hold up to 16 B83 nuclear bombs.

With its tech that helps it dodge radar, low visibility, and a two-person crew, the B-2 is designed for sneaky, safe, and flexible missions, making it a key player in the Pacific.

How does a bunker buster work?

As per Rebecca Grant from Lexington Insititute, “Each bunker buster can be independently targeted and released, making it possible to deliver a MOP right on top of another MOP.”

She further told Bloomberg that US drone surveillance likely played a role in refining the final strike coordinates.

Furthermore, Grant emphasised that Fordow and other Iranian nuclear facilities have been under US observation for years, helping planners build a precise targeting profile.

The MOP was developed by Boeing under a Pentagon contract, with at least 20 units built by 2015.

Also Read: France Voices Concern Over US Strikes On Iran’s Nuclear Sites; Urges Regional Restraint