GBU-57A/B MOP

[Rexedgar]

How does this bomb work? I understand that it is similar to much smaller armor-piercing rounds; two charges, one to make a hole and another to blow once the armor has been breached. If the target is 200’ deep, how does the first charge make a 200’ hole to deliver the main charge? Does it just blow a 200’ crater? If there were an auger, I could see that.

 

[SNOWFLAKE]

GBU-57A/B MOP - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

What is bunker buster bomb that Israel needs from US to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites?

In the conflict with Iran, Israel’s top goal is to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities. But that is no easy task. The Jewish nation might need the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bomb to damage these underground sites. But what do we know about the Boeing and US Air...

www.firstpost.com

Military Knowledge: GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator - Islamic World News

GBU-57 is a US Air Force non-nuclear bunker-busting guided bomb. It's designed to penetrate tough, buried targets and is the most powerful non-nuclear bunker-busting bomb in the US arsenal. Currently, it can only be launched from B-2 and B-52 bombers, and later from the B-21.

english.iswnews.com

Bunker buster bombs: what you need to know

The US military is increasing production capability for "bunker busters."

www.newsweek.com

How Do Bunker Busters Work? » DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network

The Rafale can carry upto 3 HAMMER 1000s while the Tejas can carry 5 HAMMERs as a compromising move for other weapons on its hardpoints.

www.defencexp.com

THAT was hard work finding the answers for you.

 

[Girlpower]

How does this bomb work? I understand that it is similar to much smaller armor-piercing rounds; two charges, one to make a hole and another to blow once the armor has been breached. If the target is 200’ deep, how does the first charge make a 200’ hole to deliver the main charge? Does it just blow a 200’ crater? If there were an auger, I could see that.

It's pretty advanced.

First it is programmed for a probable depth then it has sensors to detect a cavity.

Once the bomb hits open space it blows.

That is very simplistic but that is essentially how it works.

 

[ataraxia]

Why not just use a MOAB- especially in an isolated mountainous area with no civilians around, like where these nuclear sites are located? Seems like the perfect location for something like that. Too expensive?

 

[JMB1911A1]

Why not just use a MOAB- especially in an isolated mountainous area with no civilians around, like where these nuclear sites are located? Seems like the perfect location for something like that. Too expensive?

Multiple reasons:
1) The GBU-43/B MOAB is an air burst weapon. Targets have to be on the surface.
2) The majority of the nuclear targets are buried, hence you need a penetrator. (See reason 1).
3) The GBU-43/B is dropped from a C-130 cargo aircraft which is hardly a survival platform when penetrating deep into Iranian airspace.

GBU-43/B MOAB - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ataraxia]

Multiple reasons:
1) The GBU-43/B MOAB is an air burst weapon. Targets have to be on the surface.
2) The majority of the nuclear targets are buried, hence you need a penetrator. (See reason 1).
3) The GBU-43/B is dropped from a C-130 cargo aircraft which is hardly a survival platform when penetrating deep into Iranian airspace.

GBU-43/B MOAB - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Regarding # 3: I think Iran has pretty much lost control over its airspace right now, so I'm not sure that's a big consideration. But as far as the others: interesting. Thanks for the info.

 

[BirdinHand]

How much do these busting bombs cost us?

How many do we have?

 

[Rexedgar]

Multiple reasons:
1) The GBU-43/B MOAB is an air burst weapon. Targets have to be on the surface.
2) The majority of the nuclear targets are buried, hence you need a penetrator. (See reason 1).
3) The GBU-43/B is dropped from a C-130 cargo aircraft which is hardly a survival platform when penetrating deep into Iranian airspace.

GBU-43/B MOAB - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Trump brags, “we own the air.”

 

[Rexedgar]

How much do these busting bombs cost us?

How many do we have?

The development was estimated at 1/2 billion with per unit prices at 3.5 million. On hand is classified.

 

[JMB1911A1]

Trump brags, “we own the air.”

Big difference between the threat to 4th and 5th generation aircraft and that to a C-130.

 

[ataraxia]

Big difference between the threat to 4th and 5th generation aircraft and that to a C-130.

4th/5th generation fighters can't escort the C-130?

 

[JMB1911A1]

4th/5th generation fighters can't escort the C-130?

The issue being that the 4th/5th gen can defend themselves against air defenses but the C-130 can't. It only takes one pop-up threat to ruin your day.

 

[Rexedgar]

This is a little cartoonish. I would think that kinetic energy would only get the bomb so far. The launch altitude is reported to be 20k. According to the clip, the bomb can be adapted to penetrate to 100m.

 

[JMB1911A1]

This is a little cartoonish. I would think that kinetic energy would only get the bomb so far. The launch altitude is reported to be 20k. According to the clip, the bomb can be adapted to penetrate to 100m.

God, that awful. The GBU-57 does not have a rocket motor. And 20k sounds very low for a drop altitude.

 

[Silenthunder]

Interesting vid on the GBU-57

 

[Rexedgar]

I took high school physics. I’m from Missouri as to kinetic energy carrying this behemoth 200’ through whatever ground it is dropped on.

 

[ColdHardTruth]

Why not just use a MOAB- especially in an isolated mountainous area with no civilians around, like where these nuclear sites are located? Seems like the perfect location for something like that. Too expensive?

This is a fair question.

I would imagine expense is part of it.

 

[braindrain]

4th/5th generation fighters can't escort the C-130?

How do you think a fighter is going to stop a missile from hitting a C130.

And MOABs are not designed for deeply buried bunkers.

 

[JMB1911A1]

This article has a good discussion of the difference between the GBU-57 MOP and GBU-43 MOAB.

GBU-57: The bunker-buster Israel needs to destroy Iran's Fordow site | The Jerusalem Post

To date, the US military has never confirmed operational use of the GBU-57A/B in combat. It is a strategic weapon held in reserve for the highest-value, hardest-to-reach targets.

www.jpost.com

 

[gman]

Trump brags, “we own the air.”

What’s this “we” shit?

 

[gman]

I would posit that even if the bomb doesn’t penetrate all the way to the facility there’s the distinct possibility that the huge explosion would create enough cracks in the rock mountain and weaken the ceiling of the intended target enough to cause it to collapse.

 

[Rexedgar]

How much do these busting bombs cost us?

How many do we have?

Rick Wilson puts the number at 20?