Air Weapons: B-2 Gets The Biggest Bomb Of All

Archives

June 12, 2009: After three years of effort, the U.S. Air Force has developed a new bomb rack for the B-2 bomber, so it can drop the new, 13.6 (30,000 pound) Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). Six years ago, MOP replaced the proposed nuclear bomb penetrator. MOP can be carried by a B-52, but a B-2 is more likely to get through an intact, modern, air defense system. The MOP is finally entering production, and a number (not announced) will be stockpiled.

 The air force is putting a lot of money into developing new bomb racks for the B-2. Recent additions are racks which allow a B-2 to carry eighty 500 pound smart bombs, or sixteen 2,000 pound smart bombs. Another new rack allows the B-2 to carry over a hundred of the 250 pound SDB (Small Diameter Bomb) which has a ground penetrating ability. The B-2 is also now equipped with a phased array radar and targeting pod capabilities, to enable it to find targets, as well as bomb them.

The MOP is 20.5 feet long, with a 31.5-inch  (80 cm) diameter. The MOP contains 2.4 tons of explosives. This is more than 10 times the explosive power of, the BLU-109 (2,000 pound bomb). The MOP can penetrate about 65 meters before exploding.

 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close