The United States Air Force announced the continuation of production of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) anti-bunker bomb, 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 possibly expand the stock of weapons aimed at destroying fortified underground installations.
Weighing around 13.6 tons, the GBU-57 is designed to penetrate reinforced structures before detonating below the surface. The pump uses a robust body capable of withstanding high-speed impacts and has a modular architecture, which allows for modernization over time. The main objective is to neutralize deeply buried bunkers, tunnels and strategic targets.
The guidance system combines inertial navigation with the aid of GPS, ensuring high precision in the attack. Furthermore, the weapon employs an intelligent fuze, which can be programmed to explode at a certain depth, increasing its effectiveness against protected structures.
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Historically associated with the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, the GBU-57 may also be integrated into the B-21 Raider in the future. Although details of the contract are partially hidden, the move indicates that the US continues to prioritize the ability to strike strategic targets in high-threat scenarios.
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
