The United States Air Force has announced the continuation of production of the bunker-buster GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), one of the most powerful conventional weapons in the American arsenal.
The new contract, published on the official government portal, signals the intention to maintain and potentially expand stockpiles of the weapon designed to destroy fortified underground facilities.
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Weighing approximately 13.6 tons, the GBU-57 was designed to penetrate reinforced structures before detonating beneath the surface. The bomb features a robust casing capable of withstanding high-speed impacts and incorporates a modular architecture, allowing for upgrades over time. Its primary objective is to neutralize bunkers, tunnels, and deeply buried strategic targets.
The guidance system combines inertial navigation with GPS assistance, ensuring high strike accuracy. In addition, the weapon uses a programmable smart fuze that can be set to detonate at a specific depth, increasing its effectiveness against protected structures.
Historically associated with the stealth B-2 Spirit bomber, the GBU-57 could also be integrated into the B-21 Raider in the future. Although details of the contract remain partially undisclosed, the move indicates that the United States continues to prioritize the capability to strike strategic targets in high-threat environments.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @imetatronink | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
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The GBU-57 is a big fat gravity bomb with fins. To achieve effective precision, a B-2 bomber must drop it on its intended… pic.twitter.com/OXP2DZ4Wq4
— Will Schryver (@imetatronink) December 8, 2025
