Introduction
The GBU-57, a 13-tonne earth-penetrating bomb, is one of the United States’ primary strategic tools in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. This conventional weapon is capable of burrowing dozens of meters beneath the surface before detonating, a unique feature almost exclusively held by U.S. President Donald Trump should he decide to intervene.
Why the GBU-57?
Despite Israel’s successful five-day operation that significantly weakened Iran’s military command and numerous facilities, doubts persist about the effectiveness of Israel’s attacks on Iran’s core nuclear program. Behnam Ben Taleblu, an expert at the Foundation for Defending Democracies, a U.S.-based neoconservative research center, emphasizes that “all eyes are on Fordo.”
Unlike Natanz and Isfahan facilities, Fordo is located at a considerable depth, approximately 100 meters underground, rendering it out of reach for Israeli bombs. Only the U.S. possesses the conventional capability to destroy such an installation, according to Mark Schwartz, a retired U.S. general and Rand Corporation expert.
Unique Capabilities
What sets the GBU-57 apart is its ability to penetrate rock and concrete. Designed to burrow up to 200 feet (61 meters) underground before exploding, this bomb differs from many missiles or conventional bombs that detonate on impact. Instead, these earth-penetrating weapons aim to bury themselves in the ground and only explode upon reaching the underground facility.
The bomb’s effectiveness lies in its detonator, which activates not upon impact but when it detects entry into an open cavity and subsequently detonates inside the bunker, explains Masao Dahlgren, a weapons specialist at the Washington-based Center for International and Strategic Studies (CSIS).
The GBU-57 design was initiated in the early 2000s, with a 2009 order for 20 units placed with Boeing.
Deployment
The B-2 stealth bombers are the only U.S. aircraft capable of deploying the GBU-57. In early May, some of these strategic bombers were deployed to the U.S. base in Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean, though by mid-June, no trace of them remained, according to an AFP analysis of PlanetLabs satellite imagery.
Thanks to their long range, B-2s taking off from the U.S. can fly to the Middle East for bombing missions, as confirmed by Dahlgren of CSIS. Each B-2 can carry two GBU-57s. Should they be used, multiple bombs would likely be employed to ensure a 100% success rate, predicts Mark Schwartz.
Israel’s air superiority in Iran “reduces the risk” of such an operation, adds the retired general.
Potential Consequences
Behnam Ben Taleblu estimates that a U.S. intervention using the GBU-57 would carry a high political cost. Moreover, it wouldn’t be the sole solution. In the absence of this U.S. bomb, an Israeli attack on a subterranean complex like Fordo might involve “attempting to strike entrances, causing collapses, cutting electricity,” outlines the expert.
Additionally, there’s a recently developed and lesser-known nuclear facility near Natanz, possibly even deeper than Fordo, raising questions about its purpose.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the GBU-57 bomb? The GBU-57 is a 13-tonne earth-penetrating bomb designed to burrow up to 200 feet (61 meters) underground before detonating, capable of destroying Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities.
- Why is the GBU-57 significant in the Israel-Iran conflict? The U.S. possesses this unique conventional capability, making it a potential game-changer should President Donald Trump decide to intervene in the conflict.
- How is the GBU-57 deployed? The B-2 stealth bombers, capable of long-range flights, are the only U.S. aircraft that can deploy the GBU-57.
- What are the potential consequences of using the GBU-57 in this conflict? A U.S. intervention using the GBU-57 would likely carry a high political cost, and even without it, an Israeli attack on subterranean facilities would involve significant risks and challenges.
