The Largest Bomb

The Pentagon has asked the Congress to earmark another U.S. $ 82 million to modify the largest U.S. conventional bombs - GBU-57, also known as the ILO.

Developed by Boeing's 30,000-pound (13.6-ton) GBU-57 bomb was developed to effectively destroy underground fortifications without the use of nuclear cargo. In practice, would be used primarily in possible attacks on nuclear facilities of Iran and the DPRK. Such a bomb explosion digs deep into the earth to attack was the maximum effect, similar to the effect of the atomic bomb on low power. USAF received about 20 GBU-57, also known as MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator).

The development program GBU-57 so far cost about $ 330 million. Because the Pentagon analysts have concluded that ILO in its current form may not be enough to destroy the key of underground fortifications, which in recent years, Iran has led to modify the bombs. The program would cost 82 million dollars. DoD asked the matter to Congress in January.

According to available data, the GPS guided using GBU-57 (Photo: Boeing) can penetrate to a depth of up to 60 m, and for stepping on a rock medium density - at nearly 40 m (heavily reinforced concrete - up to 10 m). Only at that depth charge explodes weighing 2700 kg. The bomb was designed by Northrop Grumman to be carried by bombers, stealth B-2. The contract was worth $ 2.5 million. Each B-2 can carry two GBU-57. MOP was tested by dropping the B-52 bomber.