What is GBU-57?

About GBU-57:

• It is known as the “Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)”.
• It is a GPS-guided, earth-penetrating strike weapon for use against hard and deeply buried targets.
• MOP is one of the most powerful non-nuclear bombs in the world.
• It is manufactured by Boeing and used by the United States Air Force.
• It is used to destroy deeply entrenched enemy bunkers such as those concealing a supply of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
• Features:
  • The bomb is 20.5 feet long with a diameter of 31.5 inches.
  • Weight: 14,000 kg
  • The warhead case is made from a special high-performance steel alloy that can reportedly penetrate up to 200 feet of concrete.
  • MOP is carried by the B-2 Spirit bomber, which can carry two of the bombs at a time 
  • The bomb is equipped with a delayed-action fuse, allowing the warhead to survive the impact, not detonating until the bomb has stopped traveling underground.

Q1) What are Weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?

A weapon of mass destruction is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or other device that is intended to harm a large number of people.

Source: Amid tensions, US military designs bomb to hit Iran underground nuclear sites I Photos emerge

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