President Trump is at a crucial crossroads as he contemplates the deployment of American B-2 bombers to utilize GBU-57 “bunkerbusting” bombs on the Fordow nuclear site nestled in Iran’s mountains.
This option could effectively thwart Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon, but it also risks escalating U.S. involvement in conflicts that could lead to broader wars in the Middle East.
Currently, neither the B-2s nor the GBU-57 bombs have been positioned in Israel, yet their strategic importance for targeting the Fordow facility is significant.
What is GBU-57?
The GBU-57 is classified as a “two-stage buster” bomb, which means it’s designed to penetrate deep into the ground before detonating. Trump is weighing whether to leverage the newest version, the GBU-57 A/B, also known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), housed in the U.S. arsenal.
This latest model boasts ten times the explosive power of the earlier Blu-109, as reported by the Air Force.
The warhead is a large, GPS-guided device, engineered to target deeply buried, fortified structures and tunnels. A recent report from the Director of Operations Testing and Assessment (DOTE) indicates it can penetrate up to 200 feet into the ground before exploding.
The MOP is particularly critical for neutralizing heavily fortified targets located underground, as seen in countries like Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea. Precision-guided munitions can strike with high accuracy on the surface of the intended targets.
B-2 Stealth Bomber
The only viable way to deliver these bombs is via a U.S. B-2 stealth bomber, capable of carrying up to 40,000 pounds.
According to the U.S. Air Force, the B-2 has already been successfully tested with two of the GBU-57 A/B bunker busters.
Each of these bombs measures about 20.5 feet in length.
The DOTE also notes that the bomb casing is made from a specialized high-performance steel alloy, designed to accommodate a large payload while preserving the integrity of the bomb upon impact.
Recognized as the most powerful, non-nuclear deep penetrator in the world, the MOP is vital for targeting well-protected locations buried beneath mountainous terrain. Its guidance technology ensures high accuracy in striking the surface directly above the target.
The development of this bomb began in 2004, and Boeing completed its MOP and aircraft integration by 2009.
As of 2015, at least 20 MOPs had been delivered, though the exact number in current stock is unclear; it’s believed to be relatively limited.
