Digging Deeper: The US's Mighty Anti-Bunker Bomb – The GBU-57
Potential Ground-Breaking Weapon: GBU-57 Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP)
If President Donald Trump decides to get involved militarily in theconflict between Israel and Iran, the GBU-57 would be his weapon of choice. This bomb is the only strategic weapon capable of obliterating thedeep underground Iranian nuclear facilities that are out of range for Israeli bombs. But what exactly can this behemoth do? Let's get to the bottom of it!
Why this Bomb?
Even if Israel successfully decimates the Iranian military command and many surface facilities within five days, questions remain about the effectiveness of Israeli attacks on the core of Iran's nuclear program. As Behnam Ben Taleblu, an expert from the neoconservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies, puts it, "all eyes are on Fordo."
Politics Bombers Already on the Ground – In case of War, USA will have a War Goal
At this uranium enrichment plant south of Tehran, no damage was found by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Unlike the Natanz and Isfahan facilities, the Fordo plant is located a hundred meters deep underground and is thus out of reach for Israeli bombs.
"Only the USA has the conventional capability" to destroy such a facility, explains Mark Schwartz, a retired US general and expert at the Rand Corporation think tank. By "conventional," he means the GBU-57.
What makes the GBU-57 so remarkable?
The US bomb's uniqueness lies in its ability to penetrate up to 61 meters into rock and concrete, according to the US Army. Unlike many rockets and bombs that detonate their payload upon impact, bunker-busting bombs first burrow into the ground before exploding when they reach the underground facility.
These bombs boast a very thick shell of hardened steel for penetrating rock layers, as noted by weapons specialist Masao Dahlgren from the CSIS research center in Washington. This explains their immense weight: over 13 tons and 6.6 meters long. Their penetrative power comes from their fuse, which detects voids to detonate when it enters the bunker.
The Key Features of the GBU-57
- High-grade Materials: The GBU-57 casing is made of Eglin steel alloy, an engineered material that withstands extreme stress during deep penetration before detonation.
- Payload: The bomb uses approximately 5,342 pounds of high-performance polymer-bonded explosives (AFX-757 and PBXN-114) that are optimized for controlled detonation in confined, underground spaces.
- Innovative Guidance: The bomb employs a combination of GPS and Inertial Navigation System (INS) for precision targeting, enabling it to strike within meters of its intended target. The bomb is also stabilized by grid fins, facilitating trajectory control and mid-course adjustments.
- Smart Fuze: Features a Large Penetrator Smart Fuze that manages detonation timing based on penetration depth and the characteristics of the underground structure, ensuring optimal destructive effect.
The Capabilities of the GBU-57
- Penetration: Designed to attack deeply buried and heavily fortified bunkers and tunnels, the GBU-57 can penetrate through layers of rock or reinforced concrete, with a reported capacity of around 200 feet.
- Delivery Platform: Only the US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is capable of carrying and deploying the GBU-57. The B-2 can carry two MOP bombs in a single sortie, handling a combined payload of about 60,000 pounds.
- Strategic Use: The GBU-57 is considered essential in scenarios where deeply buried nuclear or military facilities must be neutralized.
- Operational Tactics: Due to the bomb's physical limitations (e.g., metal melting under extreme stress), multiple bombings may be employed sequentially to fracture the target structure, creating seismic shock and progressively damaging underground facilities.
In sum, the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator is a precision-guided, exceptionally heavy conventional bomb designed to penetrate and destroy the most deeply buried and hardened underground targets, with cutting-edge explosive, guidance, and fuzing technology, delivered exclusively by the stealthy B-2 bomber for strategic missions involving fortified or nuclear facilities.
- The Commission, in the midst of politics and general-news, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, especially considering the potential use of the GBU-57, a high-tech, bunker-busting bomb being employed by the US Air Force.
- In light of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, the protection of workers from the risks related to ionizing radiation, such as those involved in the production and handling of nuclear materials, becomes increasingly significant, particularly in relation to the military operations using the formidable GBU-57.
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