In an effort to enhance the capabilities of its GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bombs, the U.S. Air Force has issued a new request aimed at exploring ways to accelerate the development of improved fuzes for the weapon. This move comes just weeks before the scheduled bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities using the MOP, launched from B-2 bombers. In the same notice, the Air Force also expressed interest in expanding its network of suppliers for key bomb components, as well as in identifying potential candidates to assist with bomb maintenance.
Providing further details, the effort is being led by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), and reflects the service’s intent to expand the number of available bombs in its arsenal. This objective was already highlighted on June 26 by U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin during his testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Breaking down the AFLCMC’s request—which is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a formal acquisition—one key element stands out: “Development and integration of fuzes into GBU-57 weapon system components, including the integration and modification of software within the KMU-612 tail kit and the BLU-127 fuze system.” Specifically, the KMU-612 kits include, among other things, the guidance element for the GPS-assisted inertial navigation system that equips the GBU-57, while the BLU-127 refers to the penetrator warheads that define its destructive capability.
Thanks to these features, gradually integrated over the years through the development of new GBU-57 variants since the bomb’s initial fielding in the early 2010s, the weapon stands out for its use of “custom-programmed fuzes [Editor’s Note: enabling] each one to achieve a specific effect on the target,” according to U.S. Air Force Joint Staff Chief Major General Dan Caine.
This makes the MOP a highly effective weapon for striking underground facilities—not only in Iran, but also in potential future conflicts involving U.S. adversaries. In particular, American defense analysts note the relevance of this capability in the event of conflict with China, North Korea, or Russia, all of which possess deep underground facilities to house aircraft and submarines, including hardened structures within mountains and caves designed to withstand airstrikes.
Finally, it’s worth noting that even as the GBU-57 continues to evolve in order to counter enemy defenses—as reflected in the efforts described above—the U.S. Air Force is already working on its successor, known as the Next Generation Penetrator (NGP). Referring again to General Allvin: “We are constantly evaluating replacement options for the MOP, whether advanced technology or advanced tactics, to anticipate and ensure that, as threats evolve, we remain prepared—so that, if we ever need it again, we can continue to carry out operations like what we saw Saturday night” [Editor’s Note: referring to the strike on Iran].
Images used for illustrative purposes only
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