Forget the MOAB: America’s 30,000-Pound GBU-57 Is the “Father of All Bombs”
The GBU-57’s size and weight alone distinguish it from other munitions, but its true significance lies in its ability to bore deep into the Earth before detonating—thereby ensuring maximum damage to its intended targets far underground.
Dubbed by some in the United States military as the “Father of All Bombs,” the GBU-57 is America’s largest non-nuclear bomb. In that role, the GBU-57 has displaced the smaller—but far more famous—Massive Ordnance Air Blast, popularly known as the “Mother of All Bombs” (MOAB).
And the GBU-57 is one of the primary non-nuclear systems that America’s vaunted B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bomber is designed to carry. This, incidentally, is the same B-2 stealth bomber that has been moved en masse to the U.S. Navy’s major staging area on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean—roughly 3,000 miles from Iran.
GBU-57: Understanding America’s Biggest Bomb
The GBU-57 is officially known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) and it stands as one of the most formidable weapons in the United States military’s arsenal.
Developed by Boeing under the direction of the United States Air Force, this precision-guided bunker-busting bomb exemplifies the cutting edge of military technology, designed to neutralize deeply buried and heavily fortified targets. With its immense destructive power and sophisticated engineering, the GBU-57 represents a critical tool in modern warfare, particularly in scenarios involving adversaries with underground infrastructure, such as Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Conceived in the early 2000s as a response to what was then growing global threats, particularly from “rogue” states developing what was described as “illicit” nuclear weapons capabilities, such as Iran and North Korea, which have invested heavily in sprawling complexes of underground military facilities. These complexes, often buried hundreds of feet underground and reinforced with concrete, are designed to withstand conventional airstrikes.
The MOP, or GBU-57, was specifically designed to address this challenge. This weapon can penetrate such defenses and deliver a devastating payload. First tested in 2007, just a few years after the aforementioned MOAB went active, the bomb underwent several upgrades to enhance its penetration capabilities and precision, with the US Air Force declaring it operational during President Barack Obama’s first term in office, in 2011.
The GBU-57 Could Stop Iran’s Nuclear Program
Weighing in at 30,000 pounds, the GBU-57 is among the largest non-nuclear bombs ever made in the world. Its size and weight alone distinguish it from other munitions, but its true significance lies in its ability to bore deep into the Earth, smashing through concrete and steel, before detonating—thereby ensuring maximum damage to its intended targets far underground.
What sets the GBU-57 apart from other US bombs is that it has a hardened steel casing, which allows it to penetrate up to 200 feet of earth or dozens of feet of reinforced concrete before exploding. This penetration depth is achieved through a combination of kinetic energy—derived from its high-altitude drop—and advanced design features that maintain structural integrity during impact.
A GBU-57 is equipped with a GPS-guided navigation system, ensuring pinpoint accuracy even when targeting deeply buried structures. This precision is crucial, as the GBU-57 is intended for use against high-value, strategically significant targets where collateral damage must be minimized. The integration of stealth technology in its delivery platform, the B-2, further enhances its effectiveness by allowing it to evade enemy radar and air defenses.
In practical terms, the MOP (GBU-57) is a specialized tool rather than a weapon intended for widespread use. Much to the chagrin of the Israeli government, the United States, even though it has shared loads of other advanced weapons—including possibly even the MOAB—has historically refused to hand over this 30,000-pound bomb to any foreign nation.
The bomb’s ability to destroy such targets without resorting to nuclear weapons provides military planners with a powerful non-nuclear option, bridging the gap between conventional and nuclear warfare.
America Should Beware the Siren Song of War
It should be noted that this weapon is not without problems. Some analysts have questioned the cost-effectiveness of the weapon, given its estimated price tag of around $20 million apiece and the limited number of scenarios where such a bomb would be needed.
Additionally, the bomb’s reliance upon the aging (and equally expensive) B-2 Spirit stealth bomber raises logistical concerns about its long-term viability. The Air Force is striving to adapt their B-21 Raider, the B-2’s replacement, to be able to carry the GBU-57—but the B-21 will not be operational for many years.
Another challenge to the GBU-57 is the evolving nature of warfare itself. As adversaries develop countermeasures, such as deeper bunkers or decentralized command centers, the GBU-57’s effectiveness could be diminished. While a series of upgrades could keep it relevant, there is an ongoing debate about whether the resources might be better allocated to emerging technologies, like hypersonic weapons.
Most importantly, there is a chance that not even the 30,000-pound GBU-57 will be sufficient to knock out suspected Iranian nuclear sites. If that is the case, the Americans (or Israelis) might even resort to the use of low-yield nuclear bombs to finish this particular job. While this prospect is still very much an unlikely move—it would mark the first time nuclear weapons were used in war since the Second World War, and could shatter taboos around their use for other nations—such actions can never be totally ruled out once the shooting begins.
The fact that six to seven B-2s have been moved into Diego Garcia, each with the capacity to carry two of these GBU-57s onboard, means that the Trump administration is at least thinking seriously about bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities. While the Americans and Israelis can likely knock these facilities out, the knock-on effects may be totally destabilizing for the region—and could eventuate in more damage to both Israel and the United States.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
