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More on MOABs

MOAB is a 30,000-pound steel-alloy, precision-guided bomb designed to destroy subterranean targets. Its proper name is GBU-57, also known as “bunker buster” or Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). MOP development dates to at least 2002. In 2007, the Air Force said it could penetrate up to 200 feet. The latest version, known as GBU-57E/B, has been in the operational inventory since 2016. In January 2018, the 4th upgrade was completed. Upgrades continue, especially improving the fuse. 

The number available for operational use is not public; the initial order to Boeing was for 20. In February 2018, more were ordered. Some have been used in tests. 

The small number of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are the only aircraft that can deploy MOAB. There are no public reports of MOAB being used in combat. (But it was reported that one was deployed in Afghanistan.) 
Much of the impetus for the MOP program was provided by Iran’s push to bury its nuclear enrichment infrastructure deep underground to protect against an American or Israeli pre-emptive strike. Later, large subterranean facilities were built to house Iran's missiles. In 2019 it was reported that MOPs were expected to become a more important part of the Air Force’s arsenal. In addition to its likely use in Iran, there was serious planning for use in North Korea, and early planning for use against tunnels in China. 

Note: This information is taken from reporting in The War Zone (twz.com) in June 2019 and by the Washington Post on June 17, 2024.




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