The United States Military has been developing a weapon perfectly designed to break through heavily protected targets and has been dubbed a “bunker buster” bomb. The Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) is a staggering 30,000 pounds, made up of crucial components, thick steel, and an explosive yield of 5,300 pounds.
Now, for the first time, the US has given the go-ahead for the operation use of the MOP. This decision isn’t taken lightly, and it is in light of the increased tensions between Iran and Israel. The bomb is the perfect tool to completely obliterate underground nuclear facilities.
The MOP
The military designation of the MOP is the GBU-57A/B, and it is the single most powerful bomb that isn’t nuclear. The massive weight proportional to the yield is for penetrating power, allowing the bomb to effortlessly go through steel, concrete, and other fortified defenses.
The bomb is on a delayed timer, allowing it to burrow deep into anything, especially underground bunkers, before exploding at the heart of any facility.
The Relevance Now
Many nations are facing the scary reality that Iran might be developing nuclear weapons despite being banned from doing so by the United Nations. This information has terrible implications for surrounding regions that Iran could target and could shift the power dynamic in the nation’s favor.
With tensions between Iran and Israel reaching an all-time high, the prospect of nuclear weapons is becoming an increasingly reality. Israel itself has no way of preemptively destroying any underground facilities, but now the US does.
Specifications
The MOP is a true monster and a flex of the United States military innovation and power. The bomb itself is 20 feet long and has a diameter of over 31 inches. The 5,300 pound yield is contained deep inside the steel structure, and can burrow 200 feet into anything it comes into contact with.
It uses a GPS system to allow for unrivaled precision accuracy and is the best “bunker buster” that the US has ever developed.
Its Carrier
Right now, the sheer size of the bomb means that the US only has one bomber that’s capable of carrying it – the B-2 Spirit steal bomber. The bomber itself is a cutting-edge piece of military technology and can carry the bomb long distances before dropping its yield with amazing accuracy.
To make it even more deadly, the bomber can carry two MOPs onboard at a time, making it an intimidating prospect for anything it targets.
Development
While the MOP might sound like a weapon of mass destruction, it is designed specifically to target single, heavily fortified targets. Its relatively low yield highlights this, being the equivalent of 2 tons of TNT compared to the 15,000 tons of TNT that the atomic bomb that was used in WWII had.
The weapon’s development was propelled after the Iraq invasion and it was tested at the White Sands Missile Range extensively before finally gaining the green light for operational use recently.
A Robust Weapon
The MOP is a robust weapon, not meant for massive destruction across vast areas, but for high-value enemy assets. While many conventional bombs and weapons cannot penetrate the reinforced bunkers deep underground, this should tear through them like tissue paper before exploding.
While the bomb has not seen proper use yet, its capabilities alone should be a deterrent.
Limitations
While the bomb is an impressive piece that the US military has in its back pocket, it is not perfect, and some high-value targets, like the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, could need more than just one bomb to dismantle the uranium enrichment plant in Iran.
Merely using the bomb will have its own risks, such as inadvertent collateral damage, escalation, and retaliation. There are many variables that cannot be gauged by military testing.
Implications Of Its Use
The White House is, in a way, showing its cards by authorizing its use. It tells Iran and other nations its willingness to stamp out nuclear proliferation.
The weapon alone could act as a useful deterrent but comes at the risk of escalating conflict in the Middle East. Both allies and adversaries are watching the US, waiting for its next move.
What Will Happen Next?
With the MOP entering the stage, the future remains cloudy. Its effective application will shape the future for decades to come.
If it is an effective warhead, it will help deter nations from developing nuclear weapons without the go-ahead of the UN, but if it fails, it could be ridiculed by military planners and policymakers alike. The world is watching for what happens next.
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