by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – The United States has moved to replenish its stockpile of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bombs, it was revealed this week, as tensions with Tehran remain elevated.
According to a partially redacted Pentagon justification document, the purchase is considered “critically needed” to replenish munitions expended in the June 21 Operation Midnight Hammer strike. Defense officials stressed that any delay in issuing the contract would weaken force readiness, erode strategic deterrence, and hinder efforts aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation.
Boeing is the only company that manufactures the GBU-57. The Air Force said the firm has developed unique expertise over nearly two decades as the weapon evolved from proof-of-concept to full operational capability, making a competitive bidding process impractical for this highly specialized munition.
Weighing 30,000 pounds, the MOP is the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal. Designed to destroy hard and deeply buried targets, it can penetrate up to 200 feet of earth or 60 feet of reinforced concrete, making it suitable for striking fortified underground facilities.
The weapon saw its first operational use during Operation Midnight Hammer, when seven B-2 Spirit bombers dropped 14 MOPs on Iranian nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, as well as nuclear facilities located at Natanz and Isfahan.
The contract’s total value, delivery schedule, and the number of bombs being purchased were not disclosed, but the move signals Washington’s intent to maintain a credible military option as diplomatic and military pressures on Iran continue.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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