Military analysts say that the Fordow nuclear facility in Iran, deeply buried beneath a mountain near Qom, would likely require specialized US bunker-buster bombs to successfully destroy. The heavily fortified site, designed to withstand conventional airstrikes, poses a significant challenge to any potential military action targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
If Washington opts to increase its direct support for Israel’s military operations against Iran, one possible course of action would be supplying the bunker-buster bombs deemed necessary to inflict serious damage on Iran’s Fordow nuclear fuel enrichment facility. The plant, located deep within a mountain near Qom, is heavily fortified against conventional strikes.
Delivering such a strike would require the bomb to be deployed from a US aircraft, a move that could carry significant geopolitical consequences. Analysts warn that American involvement at this level could further strain relations with Tehran and diminish the possibility of reviving negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program — a key objective of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Israeli officials have indicated that multiple options are being considered to strike Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility as part of broader efforts to degrade Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
However, Michael Shoebridge, director of Strategic Analysis Australia, told ABC News that Israel would likely face significant challenges in attempting to destroy deeply buried sites such as Fordow and Natanz using conventional military means.
This raises the question: What is a bunker-buster bomb, and what kind of aircraft can deliver it?
What is a bunker-buster bomb?
Bunker-buster bombs are specially designed munitions capable of penetrating hardened and deeply buried targets, such as underground bunkers or reinforced nuclear facilities. The United States possesses some of the world’s most advanced bunker-buster weapons, including the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), which weighs approximately 30,000 pounds and can reach deeply buried targets.
Due to their size and weight, such bombs require heavy bombers like the US Air Force’s B-2 Spirit stealth bomber for delivery. Israel, which does not currently operate such aircraft, would likely need US assistance to deploy this type of weapon effectively.
The Massive Ordnance Penetrator (GBU-57A/B), the United States’ most powerful bunker-buster bomb, is believed capable of penetrating up to 60 meters of hardened material before detonation. Successive bombs can be dropped in sequence, allowing each explosion to clear debris and drive the next bomb deeper, effectively drilling into heavily fortified underground sites like Fordow.
Experts say that beyond a ground-based commando raid or a nuclear strike — both carrying significant risks and political consequences — the bunker-buster bomb remains the most feasible conventional option for inflicting serious damage on the facility.
"The Israelis don't have the deep bunker-busting types of weapons," said Michael Shoebridge, director of Strategic Analysis Australia. He noted that while Israel possesses 2,270-kilogram munitions, it would require something on the scale of the American 13,600-kilogram GBU-57 to achieve meaningful results against Fordow.
In theory, any bomber capable of carrying the GBU-57A/B’s massive weight could deploy the weapon. However, the US Air Force has so far only configured and programmed its B-2 Spirit stealth bombers for such missions, limiting operational options.
Post a Comment