5,000 lb Bunker Buster dropped in Bagdad

[mf_dolphin]

The first of the 5,000 lb bunker buster bombs was dropped in Bagdad today. This bomb is designed to penetrate deep underground before detonating. Notice the demonstrated accuracy in the article below...20ft!.

Global Positioning System Aided Munition (GAM)
[GBU-36/B & GBU-37/B]]
The Global Positioning System Aided Munition (GAM) was developed by the Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corporation as an interim precision munition for the B-2. GAM is a tail kit that fits on the 2,000-pound Mk84 general purpose bomb [GBU-36/B], or the 4,500 lb BLU-113 penetrator [GBU-37/B]. GAM uses GPS guidance to more accurately guide to target locations. The munition is to be eventually replaced on the B-2 by the Joint Direct Attack Munition. The GBU-37 was added to the B-2 arsenal in late 1997. This weapon is currently the only all-weather, near-precision "bunker busting " capability available.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) Aided Target System [GATS] is an all weather B-2 targeting system which reduces Target Location Error (TLE) normally associated with target coordinates. By exploiting the synergistic effects of the B-2’s GPS navigation and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities, which combine the SAR’s excellent range and range rate capabilities with accurate GPS Position and velocity information, we provide the GAM highly accurate target location relative to current B-2 position.

The GATS/GAM system was developed to meet a B-2 Block 20 precision weapon requirement left unfulfilled by the cancellation of another munition. All GAMs have been delivered to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB MO and are in operational use. Demonstrated accuracy by Air Combat Command aircrews has been under 20 feet.

[bfez1]

What else can I say but WOW!!! :o :o :o

[wannabehippie]

from what i understand, sadaam had special bunkers built to resist the "bunker blaster" bombs. supposedly they are deep underground, with certain shapes and designs that will hold up to anything short of a direct nuclear bomb hit.

peace
david

[streetsoldier]

We have yet to use that 21,000 lb. "MOAB"...maybe we're saving it for a "special occasion"?

[Stephanie]

I guess we'll see how well it works on those bunkers. I hope it blows them to smithereens!

[mf_dolphin]

from what i understand, sadaam had special bunkers built to resist the "bunker blaster" bombs. supposedly they are deep underground, with certain shapes and designs that will hold up to anything short of a direct nuclear bomb hit.

peace
david

If you notice, this bomb only entered the inventory in 1996. Most of Saddam's bunkers were built prior to this. One of the reasons for the bomb damage assessment (BDA) is to decide if targets need to be hit again. Since the area hit today was in the same area that was hit in the first "Shock and Awe" night, I'm sure that they saw something in the BDA that led them to believe that they needed to go deep!

[wx247]

All I can say is that there will be one heck of a damage area if we use the MOAB!!! :o

[Aslkahuna]

(which wasn't really operational yet when it was tested) is not a deep penetration weapon but rather an area weapon on the order of the Daisy Cutters. It would be used against troop concentrations where the force of the concussion is capable of inflicting severe injury and death over a large area even beyond the immediate blast zone. However, since it's dropped from a C-130, the triple A environment must be relatively benign. Whiteman AFB MO is where I was first assigned when I entered the USAF in 1962-it was a SAC Bomber Wing then with B-47's and then became a Minuteman Wing now it's come full circle back to a Bomber Wing.

Steve

[Guest]

If one bomb doesn't work - what about 2 or 3 or 4 - will the infrastructure weaken any from the repeated bombing?

Patricia

[JQ Public]

i saw that on the news! Could you believe that mushroom cloud!