America’s 30,000 Pound Bunker-Buster Bomb ‘Could Fail’ To Destroy Fordow

National Security Journal ^ | 6/19/2025 | Harry Kazianis

[whyilovetexas111]

In a new report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commonly known as CSIS, Project Director Heather Williams explains that the much-discussed GBU-57 might not be able to destroy the Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow.

Williams explains that the “GBU-57 has never been used in combat, but has been put through extensive testing; it is believed the United States has approximately 20 of the bombs available.”

[fso301]

it is believed the United States has approximately 20 of the bombs available.

Don't think peacetime procurement.

When top brass says we need 20 more next Friday, the order will be filled.

[JimRed]

Maybe I'm wrong, I'm not seeing something in his record. Any military, government, or private sector employment, outside of journalism, political advising and think tanks.

You've described an ACADEMIC.

ACADEMIC (ak-uh-DEM-ik): An individual educated beyond his intelligence who is unwilling or unable to create or provide anything of value to others, who while hiding out in a think-tank, college or university pontificates and expects to be paid for it, usually from public funds.

[JimRed]

Maybe I'm wrong, I'm not seeing something in his record. Any military, government, or private sector employment, outside of journalism, political advising and think tanks.

You've described an ACADEMIC.

ACADEMIC (ak-uh-DEM-ik): An individual educated beyond his intelligence who is unwilling or unable to create or provide anything of value to others, who while hiding out in a think-tank, college or university pontificates and expects to be paid for it, usually from public funds.

[JimRed]

Maybe I'm wrong, I'm not seeing something in his record. Any military, government, or private sector employment, outside of journalism, political advising and think tanks.

You've described an ACADEMIC.

ACADEMIC (ak-uh-DEM-ik): An individual educated beyond his intelligence who is unwilling or unable to create or provide anything of value to others, who while hiding out in a think-tank, college or university pontificates and expects to be paid for it, usually from public funds.

[Huskrrrr]

“We need to pass the bill (drop the bomb), to find out what’s in it.”

[bray]

Let Israel bring Iran to the table and have American people destroy that facility.

[bobbo666]

So much misdirection, by those who resist thinking.

BBusters are assassination bombs. Intended to kill bunker occupants. If that is not the issue, simply blow up all entry points — eliminate access. If bunker cannot be accessed, or powered, it might as well exist on the moon.

[plain talk]

“How many more lies can the media tell? So this bomb is supposed to take out Fordow and it might not be able to?”

The bunker buster bombs were not designed specifically for Fordow which is believed to be buried under 300’ of rock.

“GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP):
A large, 30,000-pound bomb designed to penetrate up to 200 feet of reinforced concrete. “

[Candor7]

At this point, the U-235 is probably no longer in gas form, but solidified and hidden away in an area the size of Texas.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

And the treasure hunt is on. Fordow will be taken intact.

[Candor7]

Bring it.......Trump style.

[libertylover]

The labs are under a couple hundred feet of rock.

I think it's more like a couple of thousand feet of rock.

I've always doubted the Bunker Buster bombs can do the job by themselves, but they can make a helluva mess and probably entomb the workers and equipment that's down there for quite some time, but I think (Israeli) commandos will have to go in and make sure the site can no longer produce weapons-grade nuclear fuel.

[UnwashedPeasant]

If Iran’s Supreme Leader is killed, exiled, arrested, or surrenders, the nuclear facility might no longer have significant security. A commando team may be able to enter it and destroy it with more conventional methods.

[libertylover]

Okay, so let’s test 2 of them.

I think that's already the plan. They drop one and then drop the second one into the hole created by the first one in order to penetrate very deep.

[montag813]

It doesn’t have to “destroy” Fordow completely. It will render the site unusable. Even one would probably achieve it, but the “serving suggestion” is 2.

[Kudsman]

Heck, do 10. Operation Jackhammer. Just to make sure.

[catnipman]

“America’s 30,000 Pound Bunker-Buster Bomb ‘Could Fail’ To Destroy Fordow”

or not ...

bet they could seal the entrances and exists real well, though ... for long enough that everything inside would be useless or worse ...

[montag813]

For reference:

Interesting detail:

"In 2009, a large outside support structure was already fully built and excavation was ongoing for what experts believe to be a ventilation shaft, crucial to allow air circulation into the facility. That shaft was later concealed and camouflaged, more recent imagery also shows."

Just like the Death Star! Perhaps fuel could be introduced into the shaft and the underground facility set afire or to explosion from outside?

Additional note: Fordow is only 20 miles North of the religious city of Qom, which might make Israel and/or the U.S. reticent to bomb it, as it may spread radiation to the 1.2 million inhabitants there.

[fso301]

Fordow is only 20 miles North of the religious city of Qom, which might make Israel and/or the U.S. reticent to bomb it, as it may spread radiation to the 1.2 million inhabitants there.

If that is a concern, tell the city to evacuate immediately.

[TexasGator]

“Fordow is only 20 miles North of the religious city of Qom, which might make Israel and/or the U.S. reticent to bomb it, as it may spread radiation to the 1.2 million inhabitants there”

The 30k pound bunker buster was specifically developed to take out Fordow.

[Kazan]

So, this claim is being used to push for US troops on the ground?