Project NGP: New Bunker-Buster Bomb for the US Air Force
The serial GBU-57 MOP aerial bomb. The promising NGP may have a similar appearance
The US Air Force has several types of bombs designed to destroy protected underground structures. The most powerful example of this class is the GBU-57 MOP, which was recently used for the first time in a real operation. In addition, there are plans to develop a heavier bomb for a similar purpose. The project, tentatively called Next Generation Penetrator, is still in its earliest stages.
New generation
In the late 57s, the GBU-2011 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker buster bomb was developed for the US Air Force. It entered service in XNUMX and complemented several existing concrete-piercing munitions. The new product was several times heavier than the available models and, as a result, significantly improved the Air Force's strike capabilities.
Shortly after the GBU-57 was completed, the Pentagon mentioned the possibility of creating a similar next-generation munition. It was assumed that such a product would be similar in caliber to the new MOP. At the same time, it was necessary to improve accuracy and power. However, at that time, these were only the most general wishes.
Real work on the prospective bomb began only a few years ago. The Air Force's specialized organizations studied the existing capabilities and needs, and based on them, drew up requirements for the future munition. Some of the customer's requirements became known last year.
In early February 2024, the Air Force Materiel Command issued a request for information on the Next Generation Penetrator (NGP). The organization was seeking technical proposals from companies willing to participate in the development of such a bomb. The document outlined the basic plans and wishes, as well as some of the requirements subject to public release.
The submission of proposals and applications lasted for a month and a half and ended by the end of March. It can be assumed that the leading US military-industrial companies responded to the request. However, the list of potential participants in the NGP program is still unknown.
Moreover, no information about the progress of the NGP has been made publicly available since the request was made last year. It is possible that the Air Force is busy analyzing the applications and preparing to launch the next phase of the program. However, it is possible that they have studied the proposals from industry and decided to abandon the new project.
Customer requirements
As follows from the published documents, the Next Generation Penetrator program planned to create a promising guided aerial bomb for the destruction of protected and/or buried enemy targets. In general, it should be similar to the existing GBU-57 product, but the Air Force required a number of important features and differences.
The Air Force did not make any clear requirements for the overall architecture of the product. It was probably intended to use traditional layout and other solutions. The maximum dimensions and weight should ensure the placement of existing and future long-range bombers on the internal suspension.
GBU-57 in the cargo bay of a B-2A bomber
The customer required the development of a new penetrating high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The mass of such a product was to reach 22 thousand pounds (approx. 10 tons). Due to the reinforced casing, the warhead should penetrate soil, rock or concrete. The desired penetration parameters were not published.
The NGP bomb must be adjustable and guided to specified coordinates. The navigation and control system must be resistant to interference and remain operational even in the absence of GPS signals. The circular error probable of the CE90 was required to be brought to 2,2 m under all conditions. This means that at least 90% of the bombs must fall within a radius of 2,2 m from the aiming point.
The Air Force wanted to spend no more than 18-24 months after signing the contract to develop the new bomb. During this time, the contractor must complete the design and manufacture a pilot batch of 10 munitions. It must also prepare the production line and assemble 3-5 serial munitions.
Desired features
Last year's RFI basically shows what kind of bomb the US Air Force wants. They didn't reveal all the technical details, but they did release the basic data and specifications. This data allows us to imagine the rough shape of the future NGP product, as well as compare it to the serial MOP product in service.
bomb drop
The GBU-57 bomb is built in a cylindrical body with an ogive nose fairing. The central part has an X-shaped wing, and the tail has lattice rudders. The total length of the munition reaches 6,2 m, the diameter of the body is 800 mm. The equipped weight is 12,3 tons.
The core of the munition is the BLU-127 warhead. This product has a reinforced body and contains a charge of two explosives: 2082 kg AFX-757 and 341 kg PBXN-114. The fuse is triggered upon contact with the target or with a delay, after immersion to the required depth. With an optimal trajectory and falling speed, such a warhead penetrates 60 m of soil and at least several meters of concrete / reinforced concrete.
The aerial bomb is equipped with a guidance system using satellite navigation. After separation from the carrier, the munition flies along a ballistic trajectory with correction for falling at a given point. According to various sources, the CEP reaches several meters.
The B-57A bomber is the only regular carrier of the GBU-2. A modified B-52H was used during testing, but re-equipping combat aircraft was considered impractical. It is expected that the MOP will be included in the ammunition load of the prospective B-21.
It can be assumed that in terms of dimensions, the future NGP bomb will not differ significantly from the current MOP. However, it may be heavier due to the new 10-ton warhead. The increase in mass will affect the kinetic energy of the fall and improve the penetration indicators. However, a significant increase in these parameters is unlikely.
Results of the use of GBU-57 bombs on an Iranian nuclear facility, June 22, 2025.
The NGP requirements do not specify what aerodynamic surfaces the bomb will have. It is possible that a small wing, like the GBU-57, is proposed. In this case, the flight range will be limited to several kilometers. The possibility of creating a full-fledged wing and turning the bomb into a glider is questionable due to the large mass of the product.
It is worth paying attention to the increased requirements for the guidance system. It must remain fully operational even in a complex jamming environment. Apparently, the US Air Force does not believe that the GBU-57 satellite guidance meets all modern requirements and risks. In addition, the new system is required to have increased accuracy. Probably, due to this, they want to more fully utilize the potential of the heavier warhead.
Plans for the future
The GBU-57 bunker buster bomb was created and adopted into service almost 15 years ago. Its first combat use took place just a few days ago, and the US Air Force reports success. At the same time, last year they launched the development of a similar next-generation munition.
It is easy to see that the Next Generation Penetrator bomb will not differ fundamentally from the existing Massive Ordnance Penetrator. It follows that the GBU-57 is generally satisfactory for the Air Force, and they are not going to abandon such ammunition. On the contrary, it is proposed to develop another similar aerial bomb with improved main parameters. However, the timing of its appearance is still in question.
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