Now that's a BOMB !
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Now that's a BOMB !
The 30,000-lb GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).
More detail here ...
The Aviationist
Coff.
Image Credit : Jim Mumaw
The heavy GBU-57 is a 20-foot long GPS-guided bomb believed to be able to penetrate 200 feet of concrete before exploding,
The Aviationist
Coff.
Image Credit : Jim Mumaw
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 28th Oct 2013 at 17:28.
Both Tallboy and Gram Slam looked far more bomb like than a waste bin with fins on. This is not a great step beyond 1944.
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Why would you need a bomb that big to penetrate 200ft, the Gulf War jobbies were converted artillery barrels with a little charge onboard, with nowhere to for the blast to escape it did the job.
More
GBU-28 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
More
GBU-28 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Last edited by NutLoose; 28th Oct 2013 at 18:17.
Originally Posted by mad_jock
Surely the blue line means its not a proper one so might not be the full weight?
Originally Posted by NutLoose
Why would you need a bomb that big to penetrate 200ft, the Gulf War jobbies were converted artillery barrels with a little charge onboard, with nowhere to for the blast to escape it did the job.
There are not many images showing the GBU-57 and even less show the MOP next to its intended platform. That’s why the top image, taken by Jim Mumaw in Jul. 2009, is extremely interesting and rare.
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I must email an old buddy and see if he's the photographer.
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The Gulf War jobbies were a lot less effective than advertised. Post war audit is what led to new weapons being developed.
MOP is only as interim, stopgap weapon, developed to cover the capability requirement against North Korea and Iran.
It is flawed in that it lacks a void sensor so can go clean through its target and keep going, exploding ineffectively some distance later.
Its replacement will have similar penetration capabilities but will weigh a lot less, it will use velocity in order to penetrate instead of just sheer mass.
Israel's lack of this weapon is one reason they haven't attacked Iran yet, they need USA involvement to do the primary bunker busting.
But the Iranians have developed a world lead in ultra high strength concretes. So even these MOPs might not do the job.
Interesting Economist article: The economist: Iran makes some of the world’s toughest concrete | Pakistan Defence Forum
MOP is only as interim, stopgap weapon, developed to cover the capability requirement against North Korea and Iran.
It is flawed in that it lacks a void sensor so can go clean through its target and keep going, exploding ineffectively some distance later.
Its replacement will have similar penetration capabilities but will weigh a lot less, it will use velocity in order to penetrate instead of just sheer mass.
Israel's lack of this weapon is one reason they haven't attacked Iran yet, they need USA involvement to do the primary bunker busting.
But the Iranians have developed a world lead in ultra high strength concretes. So even these MOPs might not do the job.
Interesting Economist article: The economist: Iran makes some of the world’s toughest concrete | Pakistan Defence Forum
Unless I am mistaken, all B-2 ordnance is internally carried.
It's a stealth thing, as I understand it.
Dropping one of these is likely like taking a nice 30,000 pound crap, with a likely trim adjustment immediately necessary!
It's a stealth thing, as I understand it.
Dropping one of these is likely like taking a nice 30,000 pound crap, with a likely trim adjustment immediately necessary!