The Pentagon is launching development of the NGP bunker buster bomb.
A B-2A bomber deploys the advanced GBU-57 bunker buster bomb.
Last year, the Pentagon announced its desire to develop and field a new large-caliber bunker buster bomb for the Air Force. The agency launched the Next Generation Penetrator program and began accepting proposals from interested companies. It recently selected Applied Research Associates, Inc. to develop the new munition.
At the selection stage
It's worth remembering that the heaviest bunker buster munition in the US Air Force arsenal is the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb. It was accepted into service in 2011 and is produced in limited numbers. The first reports of the possible development of a new bomb with a similar purpose soon emerged, but actual work began much later.
Several years ago, relevant Pentagon and Air Force organizations conducted the necessary studies. They recommended launching the development of a new bomb and also outlined its basic requirements.
In early February 2024, the Air Force Materiel Command issued a request for information on the Next Generation Penetrator. It published the key requirements for the advanced bomb and opened the call for proposals for participation in the competitive development.
PIG-57 on internal suspension
At the end of March, the command began analyzing the submitted bids. It was expected to select a contractor to develop the advanced bomb shortly. Curiously, the list of NGP program participants was not disclosed at that time. Furthermore, the Pentagon released no new information about the program for the next eighteen months.
Development contract
The Defense Department has now analyzed the proposals received and selected the most successful. Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been awarded the NGP bomb development contract. The company announced the award on September 5.
Under the new contract, ARA will conduct full-scale development of the NGP munition. It will then manufacture prototypes for testing, which will be conducted jointly with the Air Force. All of this work is scheduled for completion within 24 months, by the end of fiscal year 2027. The contract price has not yet been announced.
Interestingly, ARA will not be working on the new bomb independently. Boeing has been brought in as an "exclusive partner" for the project. The prime contractor will handle overall coordination of the work and design of some components. Boeing will develop the remaining components and ensure the integration of all components.
In its official press release, ARA did not provide any technical or other details about the upcoming project. However, it did make the usual points about the significant significance of the new contract for the company and its desire to help its Air Force.
Customer requirements
Last year, the US Air Force revealed some of the requirements for a future bomb. As a result of the NGP program, they want to develop a heavy bomb. aviation A munition capable of striking buried and/or hardened enemy targets. Essentially, it is an improved version of the existing GBU-57.
The customer didn't provide any clear layout or architectural requirements. Nor was there any mention of the need to implement fundamentally new solutions of this kind. The dimensions and weight of the future bomb were not disclosed.
The NGP requires the development of a new 22-pound (approximately 10 ton) warhead. It must have a hardened casing capable of penetrating soil, rock, or concrete. The desired penetration parameters were not specified. The explosive weight and type were also not disclosed.
The Air Force wants a guided munition. A tail section containing control instruments and a set of rudders will be attached to the new warhead. The guidance system must be capable of engaging a target with predetermined coordinates and operate under any conditions, including without a satellite signal. The circular error probable (CEP) of the CE90 must not exceed 2,2 meters.
Like the existing GBU-57, the prospective NGP is designed for use by long-range bombers. In theory, it could be carried by all major US long-range aircraft, from the existing B-52H to the prospective B-21. Which of them will receive this weapon in reality, it is still unknown.
The request for information stated that the bomb design would be given 18 to 24 months after the contract was signed. The experimental design work was intended to assemble 10 prototype bombs for testing. They also planned to prepare for production and manufacture up to 3-5 units using serial technology.
Generational change
Currently, the US Air Force's only munition for engaging particularly hardened enemy targets is the GBU-57 aerial bomb. Recently, this type of weapon was used against real targets, such as underground facilities in Iran. The US side reported the successful destruction of all intended targets, but objective data casts doubt on this.
The GBU-57 MOP is a 6,2-meter-long, 800-mm-diameter bomb with a loaded weight of 12,3 tons. The core of this bomb is the BLU-127 penetrating warhead. The warhead is housed in a thick-walled casing and is claimed to penetrate at least 60 meters of soil. The casing contains 2082 kg of AFX-757 explosive and 341 kg of PBXN-114. It uses a bottom-fuse with a delay. It is also GPS-guided.
The B-2A bomber is the standard carrier for the GBU-57. During testing, the modified B-52H carried these bombs, but operational aircraft were not equipped with this capability. The B-21 advanced bomber is expected to become the new carrier for the MOP in the foreseeable future.
The GBU-57 bunker buster bomb is one of the most powerful conventional munitions in the US and is designed to address a specific range of combat missions. While it receives high marks overall, it is not without its shortcomings. These include incompatibility with the most common bombers, the use of satellite navigation with all its associated challenges, and so on.
The result of the strike on Iranian targets in June 2025
Apparently, as part of the new NGP program, the US Air Force plans to develop a new munition that will incorporate all the advantages of its predecessors but eliminate their shortcomings. For this reason, the prospective bomb is not fundamentally different from the existing one, but will incorporate some new components.
All these innovations will give the new NGP several advantages over the MOP. First and foremost, it will offer increased flexibility. The prospective bomb will be able to be used by a wider range of aircraft. Furthermore, it is expected that B-21 bombers will be built in large numbers, which will understandably impact the deployment and employment capabilities of any air-launched weapon.
The new guidance/control system should improve hit accuracy—one of the key parameters of the bunker buster bomb. They also want to improve resistance to jamming. Protection against the effects of EW This will ensure target engagement under any conditions and with the required accuracy. Consequently, ammunition consumption per target will be reduced, the required number of sorties will be reduced, and the risks to aviation will be mitigated.
At a crucial stage
Thus, the NGP advanced air bomb development program has completed the early stages and reached the design phase. Over the next two years, ARA and Boeing, along with their subcontractors, are expected to complete the development of the new bunker buster and deliver up to 15 prototypes and production units to the customer.
of the latter, News It follows that the first tests of the NGP device will take place as early as 2026-27. At the end of 2027, the Pentagon will be required to review the results of these activities and make further decisions. If everything goes smoothly, the Air Force will receive a new weapon with special capabilities.
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