Iran May Have Recovered Unexploded GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bombs

Illustrative image. (U.S. Army)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on February 8 revealed that unexploded bombs are still present at nuclear facilities attacked by the United States last year.

In statements carried by Iran’s Young Journalists Club news agency, Araghchi said he asked International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi whether there was any law or specific protocol governing visits to nuclear facilities targeted by the U.S.

“No, there is nothing of that sort,” Grossi replied, as mentioned by Araghchi.

The top diplomat added he informed Grossi of the need to establish a protocol prior to any visits, “given existing security issues, including the presence of unexploded bombs and other matters that need to be agreed upon.”

He said inspections should take place only after reaching an agreement on these issues, noting that “Iran remains in contact with the agency in this regard.”

The U.S. attacked Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center on June 22 of last year, the 10th day of the 12-day Israeli war on Iran.

The attack, codenamed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” saw B-2 Spirit stealth strategic bombers dropping GBU-57 series Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs on the facilities, which were also targeted with around 30 BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile which were launched from a cruise missile nuclear submarine, believed to be the Ohio-class USS Georgia.

Araghchi’s latest remarks, which came a major escalation by the U.S., indicate that at least some of the MOPs used in the attack failed, which means that Iran could, or may have already recovered one of these bombs.

The MOP is 6,2 meters long and weighs 14 tons. Its explosive component is a bomb of the BLU-127 series, whose modular design accommodates improvements and upgrades.

One variant of the BLU-127 bomb body contains 2,082 kg of AFX-757 and 341 kg of PBXN-114, a polymer-bonded explosive (PBX), for a total explosive payload of 2,423 kg. The PBX is optimized for controlled detonation in confined spaces.

The bomb’s casing is made from high-density Eglin steel alloy, engineered to survive the extreme stresses of deep penetration before detonation.

Attached to the BLU-127’s tail, is a KMU-612 tail-kit which contains a GPS-aided inertial navigation system guidance package, as well as control surfaces to maintain trajectory and allow for mid-course adjustments.

The GBU-57 has grid fins which can fold for storage in a B-2’s bomb bays and offer greater control at high speeds. Grid fins have higher drag than planar fins, and so are usually smaller.

Detonation timing is managed by the Large Penetrator Smart Fuze (LPSF), which adjusts the moment of explosion based on impact depth and the characteristics of the underground structure.

While many military analysts speculated that Iran could copy the MOP, this is highly unlikely as the Islamic Republic has no means to deliver such a heavy bomb even to U.S. bases located right next to its borders in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain or the United Arab Emirates.

Iran could, however, learn much, technology-wise, from studying the bomb. It could also transfer the bombs to some of its allies who could actually copy it and field it, like Russia and China. Both countries operate bombers.

After Iran managed to capture a U.S. secretive RQ-170 Sentinel stealth reconnaissance drone in 2007, Iranian officials indicated that Russia and China were highly interested in studying the aircraft. Later reports, some from as recent as 2022, suggest that this may have happened.

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