Key points
- The United States used GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.
- The bomb is capable of penetrating to a depth of 60 meters, but Iran's deepest site, Fordow, is located at a depth of 80-90 meters, which may require multiple strikes.
The US used bunker buster bombs to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Donald Trump said they completely destroyed the targets. Meanwhile, Tehran is reporting only minor damage.
As reported by the media, the US had previously hesitated to attack nuclear facilities because it was not confident in the effectiveness of its bunker buster bombs. However, on the night of June 22, they were already used to strike Iran, Channel 24 reports.
Bunker Buster Bombs
The United States dropped GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, known as “bunker busters,” on nuclear sites.
Background : The MOP is a 13,600 kilogram bomb, of which 2,700 kilograms is explosive. It is 6 meters long and 80 centimeters wide. The bomb carries a large explosive charge that detonates upon reaching the target. It is made of high-performance steel alloy, which allows it to remain intact while penetrating hard materials such as concrete and stone.
The US Air Force says the bomb was designed to “destroy our enemies' weapons of mass destruction located in heavily defended facilities.” It is believed to be the only munition capable of reaching deeply buried targets.
The bomb is capable of penetrating up to 60 meters into the soil. Iran's deepest site, Fordow, is located approximately 80-90 meters underground. Therefore, it would likely require multiple bomb strikes in the same location to destroy it.
By the way, the US B-2 Spirit bombers are the only aircraft capable of carrying such bombs.
