GBU-57A/B MOP bombs: new photos and new details
Soldiers examining a mock GBU-57A/B bomb, March 2023
Since the beginning of the last decade, the US Air Force has been armed with the GBU-57A / B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, designed to destroy underground protected structures. For various reasons, this weapon does not receive due attention and rarely appears in open materials. However, now the Pentagon has decided to remind about the presence of super-powerful bombs and has shown them twice in the last month.
Fresh content
On April 2, the 131st bomber wing of the Air Force of the National Guard pcs. Missouri, serving at Whiteman Air Force Base, published an interesting photograph on social networks. In a photo taken a few days earlier, two servicemen examine a mock-up of a GBU-57A/B aerial bomb placed at the base's training center.
The layout repeats the design of a real bomb. In fact, the only difference is the absence of a warhead and a working fuse. Used standard camouflage paint. At the same time, a blue ring is applied to the head part, indicating the educational role of the product. In addition, there is a large inscription prohibiting flights with such a bomb.
The MOP training product is placed on a standard transport trolley and is set up in a configuration for loading onto a carrier. The lattice rudders are folded and fixed, and the bomb is fixed on the cradles.
MOP bomb intended for 509 Squadron
Exactly one month later, on May 2, new photos of the GBU-57A / B bomb appeared on the pages of Whiteman Air Force Base in social networks and a curious news. The 509th Ammunition Squadron has reportedly received two heavy bombs recently. Now the department's specialists will study these products and determine their effectiveness. Perhaps we are talking about field tests using a carrier aircraft.
The press service of the base attached several photographs to the short note. They show the transportation of a MOP bomb on a semi-trailer using a special holding device. The product was transported in the appropriate configuration. Wings and a tail compartment with control devices were removed from it. The back end of the case was covered with a film.
It should be noted that the 509th squadron was given a real aerial bomb capable of solving combat missions. This is evidenced by the marking in the form of a ring of yellow diamonds around the head. In addition, the quality of one of the photographs makes it possible to consider the inscriptions on the side of the hull, indicating its filling - the composition and mass of explosives.
Bunker Buster
The prerequisites for the appearance of the GBU-57A / B bomb appeared at the beginning of the century. So, during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, combat aviation The United States has repeatedly received tasks to attack enemy underground facilities, incl. protected. Practice has shown that the existing range of specialized concrete-piercing bombs does not allow hitting all such targets. In this regard, the Pentagon launched the development of a new bomb with enhanced performance, capable of hitting objects at greater depths and with a higher level of protection.
The new project was designated Massive Ordnance Penetrator. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) was appointed as the coordinator of the work, and Boeing was assigned to develop the bomb. Also, at different stages, other state and commercial organizations were involved in the project.
The development of the project took about four years. In 2007, AFRL and Boeing began preparations for comprehensive testing. At this stage, prototypes of bombs and warheads were made, and several Air Force aircraft were converted into experimental carriers. In the same year, work began on integrating the MOP bomb into the weapon system of the B-2A stealth bomber.
The first experimental detonation of the warhead for the MOP took place in March 2007. Flight tests of the finished bomb were carried out only in 2009. According to known data, the test program included only a few such events, but it took several years to carry them out and to further improve the design.
Based on the test results, the MOP bomb was put into service under the designation GBU-57A / B. In April 2011, the first contract for the production of a small number of such weapons appeared. According to known data, at least 20 bombs have been manufactured to date. Only B-2A bombers can use them. Work was underway to integrate the MOP into the B-52H weapon system, but their success was not reported.
Products GBU-57A / B are in service with the US Air Force for more than ten years, but during this time they have never been used in real operations. However, training drops are extremely rare - due to the high cost of the product and the complexity of preparing such an event.
Technical features
The GBU-57A/B product is a heavy guided aerial bomb designed to destroy protected and/or buried enemy targets. It differs from other samples of this purpose in increased characteristics obtained by increasing the size and weight, as well as the use of new technical solutions.
The bomb is made in a cylindrical body with an ogival warhead. The body has thick walls, providing high strength and the ability to break through the thickness of the soil or concrete. X-shaped wings of small elongation are mounted in the central part of the hull. In the tail are lattice rudders for aiming at the target.
The tail compartment accommodates the control and guidance system based on satellite navigation. Provides hit accuracy up to several meters, typical for this method of guidance.
The total length of the bomb reaches 6,2 m with a diameter of 800 mm. The mass is declared at the level of 14 tons, which sharply limits the range of possible carriers. According to previously published information, 2400 kg of explosive is placed inside the case. Undermining is carried out by a bottom fuse with a delay mode. The large mass and improved aerodynamics allow the bomb to accelerate to high speed and penetrate at least 60 m of soil.
New photos from Whiteman Air Force Base clarify previously known information about the GBU-57A / B product. So, according to the markings on the real product, its weight is 27 pounds or 125 kg. Combat equipment includes 12 pounds (315 kg) of PBXN-750 explosive (a mixture of HMX with aluminum powder and a plasticizer) and 340,5 pounds (114 kg) of AFX-4590 on a similar basis.
According to known data, mixtures of AFX-757 and PBXN-114 are more powerful than TNT, but at the same time they are stable during manufacture and storage, and are also not very expensive. As a result, a charge with a total mass of approx. 2420 kg shows higher performance than filling in the form of TNT of the same mass. In combination with a robust housing that accounts for approx. 80% of the total mass of the product, such a charge gives the GBU-57A / B bomb special combat characteristics.
Demonstration of opportunities
From a promising aerial bomb GBU-57A / B MOP at one time they did not make secrets. It was openly shown and advertised, and also revealed its characteristics, tasks and opportunities. However, even with this approach, unique "bunker destroyers" did not appear in open materials very often.
Now the Pentagon and the Air Force have broken this kind of “tradition”. In just a month, the MOP product was shown twice. At the same time, real weapons for combat use were demonstrated the other day, and it was also reported that they were going to check and evaluate them. Probably in the near future, 509 Squadron will organize a new test / training bomb drop at the site. It is unlikely that this event will be secret - the Pentagon will not refuse the opportunity to boast of unique weapons.
Recent publications and events may be related to the current political situation and the aspirations of the American leadership. Photos and notes about the tests can be seen as a kind of signal to foreign countries, potential enemies of the United States. They are trying to show third countries that their strategic facilities and leadership are not protected from hypothetical American attacks - stealth planes with special bombs can hit even the most advanced bunkers and shelters.
Whether such signals, hints and veiled threats make sense is a big question with a predictable answer. Foreign states will continue to defend their interests, and will respond appropriately to military threats. And it is likely that as a result of such measures, American super-heavy bombs will lose their potential as a political and military argument.
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