Profile
- Type
- Precision-guided bunker-buster bomb
- Conflict side
- United States
- Origin
- United States
- Service note
- Modern deep-penetration munition
Aircraft & UAVs
GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator
The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator is a U.S. Air Force deep-penetration munition built for heavily protected facilities and documented in its first operational use during strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
- Conflict side
- United States
- Built by
- Boeing
- Built in
- United States
Service History
- In service
- 2010s-present
- Used by
- United States Air Force
- Wars
- United States-Iran Conflict
Production History
- Designer
- Boeing / U.S. Air Force / Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Built by
- Boeing
- Built in
- United States
Specifications
- Weight class
- 30,000 lb class
- Role
- Deep-penetration precision weapon against hardened and deeply buried targets
- Carrier aircraft
- Integrated with the B-2 Spirit for operational delivery
- Guidance
- Precision-guided munition
- Program background
- Developed with Defense Threat Reduction Agency support and transitioned to the Air Force
Conflict Usage
- United States-Iran Conflict
- Side: United States
Fourteen 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs were carried by B-2 Spirit bombers in Operation Midnight Hammer against Iranian nuclear sites.
GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Images
Related Weapon Systems
BGM-109 TomahawkLong-range cruise missileThe BGM-109 Tomahawk is a U.S. long-range subsonic cruise missile launched from ships and submarines; it was fired from a guided-missile submarine during Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran.
ZALA LancetLoitering munitionThe ZALA Lancet is a Russian electric loitering munition with a distinctive dual X-wing layout, launched from a catapult and guided by an onboard television channel for terminal attack. In the Russia-Ukraine War it became one of Russia's prominent tactical strike UAVs, used against Ukrainian artillery, air-defense systems, armor, vehicles, and other battlefield targets.
B-2 SpiritStealth strategic bomberThe B-2 Spirit is a U.S. low-observable strategic bomber whose long range and payload made it the aircraft used to deliver GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs in Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran.
Shahed-136One-way attack droneThe Shahed-136 is an Iranian-designed one-way attack drone associated with mass long-range strikes, appearing as the Russian Geran family in Ukraine and as an Iranian attack-drone threat in the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Bayraktar TB2Medium-altitude long-endurance UAVA Turkish unmanned aircraft used for reconnaissance and strike missions. It became especially prominent in the early phase of the full-scale invasion.
9K720 IskanderRoad-mobile tactical ballistic and cruise missile systemThe 9K720 Iskander is a Russian road-mobile tactical missile system that launches short-range ballistic missiles and, in Iskander-K configuration, ground-launched cruise missiles. In the Russia-Ukraine War it has served as one of Russia's principal precision-strike systems for attacks beyond the immediate front line.Sources
Massive Ordnance PenetratorPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports GBU-57 mission, program background, Boeing contract context, and specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Defense Agency Contributed Toward Operation Midnight Hammer SuccessPublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: Supports United States-Iran Conflict use of GBU-57 bombs in Operation Midnight Hammer. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Off Loading of MOP CroppedPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports public-domain U.S. military image provenance for the GBU-57/MOP image. | Accessed: 2026-06-19