Air Weapons: B-2 Fitted for Huge Bunker Buster

Archives

July 23, 2007: The U.S. Air Force is developing yet another capability for its 20 B-2 stealth bombers. A new bomb rack is being designed and built so the B-2 can drop the new, 15 ton Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). Three 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 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 being equipped with a phased array radar and targeting pod capabilities, to enable it to find targets, as well as bomb them.

 

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 contributions. 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