US Air Force demonstrates combat version of the world’s most powerful non-nuclear bomb GBU-57/B MOP
The US Air Force has released several new images of the GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb. It can penetrate tens of meters underground.
The GBU-57/B MOP is the world’s most powerful anti-bunker non-nuclear bomb. It is used to destroy bunkers that are several tens of meters underground. The Air Force is usually very careful about displaying these unique bombs, which makes the publication of high-quality images even more intriguing.
The photos were published on the Facebook page of Whiteman Air Force Base, home to the 509th Squadron’s B-2 Spirit nuclear stealth bombers. The Spirit is currently the only aircraft that can use the GBU-57/B MOP in operational mode, although the B-52 Stratofortress also dropped bombs as part of the test.
In the future, the GBU-57/B MOP will be carried by the new generation B-21 Raider nuclear bomber. It is worth noting that it will be able to carry one bomb, while the Spirit is equipped with two warheads at once.
The US Air Force showed a photo of the GBU-57/B MOP combat variant. This is evidenced by the diamond-shaped checkered stripe. Training versions of the bomb have a blue stripe.
Our hero is equipped with a warhead weighing 2432 kg, of which 2081 kg is accounted for by the AFX-757 explosive. It maximizes explosive energy and was created as part of the Advanced Penetrator Explosive Technology project. The total weight of the GBU-57/B MOP is 12,308 kg.
Development of the anti-bunker bomb began about 20 years ago. Back then, it was stated that it would be able to penetrate to a depth of 60 meters. Five years ago, the bomb was modernized, but the updated characteristics are not specified.
