U.S. Outfitting B-2's with Monster Bunker Buster Bombs -- Iran May Be Target

NewsMax ^ | July 27, 2007 | NewsMax

[kddid]

The U.S. is retrofitting its B-2 Stealth bombers with massive bunker-buster bombs -- a move that could be a prelude to an attack on Iran and its nuclear facilities.

Iran has refused to comply with international demands that it stop its nuclear weapons programs.

Experts have noted that a U.S. or Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear program could be difficult due to the large number of installations -- some of which are buried deep underground in hardened bunkers.

In a recent NewsMax Magazine, Kenneth R. Timmerman's report "The Coming War with Iran: 6 Days of Hell" predicted the U.S. would outfit B-2's as a prelude to an attack on Iran. [Editor's Note: Get this special report "The Coming War with Iran: 6 Days of Hell" with our FREE offer -- Go Here Now]

Apparently the U.S. has big plans for Iran.

Northrop Grumman announced last week in a little noticed release that the company had begun integrating on the B-2's a new 30,000-pound-class "penetrator bomb" or bunker buster.

"The U.S. Air Force's B-2 Stealth bomber would be able to attack and destroy an expanded set of hardened, deeply buried military targets" using the monster bunker buster, the company said in its release.

The company is doing the work under a seven-month, $2.5 million contract awarded June 1 by the Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Northrop Grumman is the Air Force's prime contractor on the B-2, the flagship of the nation's long-range strike arsenal.

The new Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), which is being developed by the Boeing Co., is a GPS-guided weapon containing more than 5,300 pounds of conventional explosives inside a 20.5-foot-long enclosure of hardened steel. It is designed to penetrate dirt, rock and reinforced concrete to reach enemy bunker or tunnel installations.

The B-2 is capable of carrying two MOPs, one in each weapons bay.

"This integration contract is part of Northrop Grumman's on-going effort to ensure that the B-2 remains capable of delivering a decisive blow to an increasingly sophisticated enemy," said Dave Mazur, vice president of long-range strike for the company's Integrated Systems sector.

"It is the first step in helping the Air Force make this new weapon available for operational use on the B-2."

According to Mazur, the Air Force is expected to make a decision later this year on whether to develop a limited operational capability for the MOP, or to proceed with a more comprehensive development program that would optimize the weapon's operational utility.

The current contract will focus on adapting the B-2's weapon bay fixtures to accommodate the new weapon.

The B-2 is currently equipped to carry up to 40,000 pounds of conventional ordnance.

[Blogger]

Shhhhh.... don’t tell anyone.

[edcoil]

Hey Newsmax - STFU

[LibLieSlayer]

If we hit Iran it is just going to do wonders for my crappy, dim induced, pi$$ed off attitude.

LLS

[A.A. Cunningham]

Old news, Frances.

[HardStarboard]

Pingo Bing.

U.S. Outfitting B-2’s with Monster Bunker Buster Bombs — Iran May Be Target

Activity...now we get to wonder if they will ever serve a purpose other than quasi-diplomatic.

Hardstarboard/Mercer

[PetroniusMaximus]

[Editor’s Note: Get this special report “The Coming War with Iran: 6 Days of Hell” with our FREE offer — Go Here Now]

Order now and receive a FREE set of Ginsu Knives!!!

Operators are standing by.

[Frank_2001]

Oh, like Iran will acually be able to DO anything about it?;)

[PreciousLiberty]

I was interested to note that this new payload represents a 50% increase over the current bomb load.

At any rate, yeah I'm pretty sure Iran is going to be the recipient. Thank you Captain Obvious.

[boomop1]

Why waste all that bomb bay space, put a few 100 mega ton nukes in there and be sure you get what you're after.

[MaxMax]

How long until Iran begins building schools over those nuclear bunkers?

[Spktyr]

There’s the pesky problem of the fallout cloud. Much better to have no fallout.

I don’t want us to occupy Iran. Hell, let’s just bomb it and let the UN play with it. It can be their problem, give them something to do.

[PreciousLiberty]

“If we hit Iran it is just going to do wonders for my crappy, dim induced, pi$$ed off attitude.”

Yep. My cynical, Ambrose Bierce induced reaction is to think that the attack will happen within six months of the 11/08 elections.

I think the net effect would be to completely energize the hawks, and to demoralize the doves. The most recent polls I saw indicated over 50% of Americans favored strikes on Iran.

[Ruddles]

Overcoming shyness to say NewsMax is a wad of cheese.

[elhombrelibre]

Don’t tell Ron Paul. The Constitution doesn’t say anything about preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Therefore, he’ll surmise it’s okay.

[ArtyFO]

A lot more rubble, a lot less trouble.

[BallyBill]

Better than retro fitting the aging V-2 Stock.

NewsMax! Pffft!

[LibWhacker]

Now, I KNOW the Pentagon hasn't forgotten how to keep a secret. If they're willing to talk about this, they must have some really, really good stuff up their sleeve they're not talking about. </whistling past the graveyard>

[RichInOC]

GATES: HOW ARE YOU MAHMOUD!!
GATES: DESTRUCTION ARE ON THE WAY TO YOU.
GATES: HA HA HA HA....

[Sparticus]

Doesn’t matter if the time and date of a B2 strike were published on the the front of the New York Slimes, there’s not a blessed thing that Iran could do to stop it. We own the skies.