Bombing Down: Untangling the Labyrinth of Deep Bunkers
- Author: Gernot Kramper
- Estimated Read Time: ~4 Mins
Massive Explosive Device: The Bunker Destroyer, Designed to Obliterate Iran's Underground Fortifications - Massive Bombshell: GBU-57 Bunker-Busters, Referred to as the Eliminators of Deepest Iranian Bunkers.
Israeli air superiority has reign supreme over significant portions of Iran, reducing the Iranian air defenses to a toothless force incapable of hindering Israel's air force moves. While the glory appears to be within Israel's grasp, the narrative is far from over.
The nagging issue at hand – the highly fortified Iranian uranium enrichment facilities, notably Natanz and Fordo, remain largely intact, and the vast stockpiles of drones and missiles remain untouched, hidden away in the depths of Iran. How can this be, given Israel's formidable lead in the skies?
Despite their military might, Israel's army has failed to achieve two pivotal war objectives: the annihilation of Iran's uranium enrichment facilities and the neutralization of the drone and missile warehouses. The Iranian regime has masterfully transferred these strategic targets to deep, fortified bunkers and labyrinthine tunnel systems, shielding them from enemy bombardments.
Iran's most tormented target, Fordo, hides beneath up to 90 meters of rock, nestled in a network of multi-layered concrete structures and a highly decentralized tunnel system. This defense ensures the facility can withstand at least some of the force from incoming bombs. Although Israel can take out the aboveground structures and entrance points, reaching the heart of the bunker remains an elusive challenge. This means that, although these facilities can be temporarily blocked, they can rise from the ashes in the long run, especially during ceasefires.
Bombs Aren't Enough
Normal bombs, long-range weaponry like cruise missiles and rockets, simply do not have the power to crack through such fortified bunkers. Simple bombs weigh around 500 kilograms, and most would barely make a ripple inside the underground facilities. Specialized bunker busters, like the German Taurus or Israel's SPICE-2000, are designed for shallower targets, offering no significant advantage against deep, fortified bunkers. The global stage has seen this struggle, as Russia grapples with bomb-proof factory plants in Ukraine, remnants of the Soviet Cold War era.
The Arsenal of Destruction
However, there are options for penetrating deep bunkers, primarily three methods:
- Surface Explosions: Gigantic surface explosions can create a massive shockwave that primarily impacts areas below. Think of it like a giant hammer blow that obliterates all structures underneath. The U.S.'s infamous MOAB (GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast) and Russia's "Father of All Bombs" (АВБПМ, Aircraft Vacuum Bomb with Enhanced Power) employ this technique. They can take out surface-near targets but struggle with significant depth.
- Ground-Penetrating Bombs: These bombs burrow into the ground, then explode, causing a localized earthquake-like effect. The U.S.'s GBU-28 "Deep Throat" is an example, able to penetrate around 6 meters of concrete. Although effective, their reach is still limited in deep bunkers.
- Heavy Kinetic Energy Penetrators: A third method employs a projectile akin to an armor-piercing gun, such as the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). This bomb plunges through the ground at high speed, penetrating up to 60 meters of earth or 8 meters of reinforced concrete before exploding. Its warhead contains a devastating 2.4 tons of explosives, enough to annihilate a closed bunker system. First released in 2011, the MOP was upgraded in 2016 to deal with facilities like Fordo. At a price tag of about $3.5 million per bomb, however, and with fewer than 20 bombs in U.S. arsenals, it is a scarce commodity. The development of the MOP was based on lessons learned during the Gulf War in 1991.
The Guardian Angel of Israel
The GBU-57 is widely hoped for by the Israelis, due to its unique penetration abilities. However, it is not without limitation:
- Weight Limitations: Its mass – a daunting 14 tons – means it must be deployed by strategic bombers, such as the U.S.'s B-2 Spirit. Although the B-52 Stratofortress could theoretically carry it, the B-2 is preferred for its stealth capabilities.
- Aircraft Availability: Israel lacks the heavy bombers necessary to deliver the MOP independently, making U.S. involvement crucial. A comprehensive U.S. commitment to war remains uncertain, and while the U.S. President occasionally hints at engagement, a solid commitment has yet to be seen.
- Guided Drop: The MOP requires a precise drop from a relatively close range. Its guided detonation mechanism is effective, but it demands careful handling.
At the extremes of military technology's reach, the MOP is a beacon of hope for those seeking to neutralize deep, fortified bunkers. However, other challenges remain, including the volume of targets, bomb capacities, and the potential need for a multifaceted attack approach. Even the penetration of an MOP is not absolute, with lower reach and limited destructive capacity.
In 2024, the Israelis employed a strategy similar to the MOP without using the heavy bomb itself in an attack on a command bunker in Beirut. By successively destroying the above-ground buildings, creating a large hole in the ground, and utilizing over 80 bunker-busting bombs, they were able to target the intended bunker. Such complex attacks are possible, although feasible only with significant U.S. involvement or focused external support.
- The durability of the Iranian uranium enrichment facilities, such as Natanz and Fordo, persists despite intense Israeli air raids, as they are sheltered within deep, fortified bunkers and complex tunnel systems, during times of war-and-conflicts between Iran and Israel.
- In the context of the ongoing politics and general-news surrounding Iran's nuclear program, Israel's desperation for a weapon like the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) becomes evident, since it has the remarkable ability to penetrate up to 60 meters of earth or 8 meters of reinforced concrete, aiding in the neutralization of deep, fortified bunkers like Fordo.
