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What are American B2 bombers, they carry the 'superbomb' used to destroy bunkers at great depths

2025-06-17 12:00:34Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
What are American B2 bombers, they carry the 'superbomb' used to
B2

In the last days of March, six American B-2 aircraft were deployed to Diego Garcia, an atoll in the Indian Ocean that is shared with the British.

Their arrival was immediately linked to the possibility of action in Yemen, against the Houthis, and perhaps, in the future, against Iran. This is because the “Spirit”, as it is called in the jargon, is the only aircraft that can carry the GBU-57, the 14-ton super bomb designed to destroy bunkers at great depths. That is, a target similar to the Iranian nuclear site of Fordow, built inside a mountain.

The device was developed in the first half of the 2000s for use against hostile countries – from North Korea to the Islamic Republic – and was later improved to increase its destructive power through innovations that have never been fully disclosed for security reasons. The GBU must penetrate the target’s protective “shell” and then explode, amplifying the destructive effect inside the structure. Recent updates appear to have increased its penetration capability, although there is no precise data on the depth or nature of the targets being targeted.

A New York Times article notes that numerous exercises conducted by the Pentagon have shown that several “passes” of B-2 aircraft are needed to achieve the goal: an initial bomb drop, quickly followed by others, like a hammer repeatedly hitting a nail. This is especially necessary when targeting targets such as the centrifuge centers at Fordow, which – according to some experts – are located 90 to 100 meters below the surface.

Israel also possesses bunker busting bombs and has demonstrated their use in eliminating key Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon. Even then, the air force adopted a tactic of successive strikes, with a large number of bombs dropped on a series of buildings south of Beirut. It is likely that the same method was used to eliminate Iranian military leaders in the first phase of the offensive, striking them in a command center.

However, these weapons are not enough to hit some of the tunnels where Iran is believed to have hidden missiles or scientific research facilities. This is why the support of the United States and the use of the GBU-57 are required to effectively target Fordow. For other targets, Israel's arsenal is considered sufficient: sources at the IAEA have reported that the attacks on Natanz, another key site, caused serious damage to uranium enrichment centrifuges, including those located in underground structures.

Experts emphasize that the Fordow "mountain" remains an essential element in the development of the Iranian nuclear program, but at the same time, they warn that any attack could slow - but not stop - Tehran's efforts.

But let's get back to the B-2. The planes stayed in Diego Garcia for about a month, then returned to the United States and were replaced by the B-52, another strategic vehicle, but which does not have the ability to carry the GBU-57. F-15 fighters were also present on the runway, as necessary escorts for the bombers. It is not clear what determined the withdrawal of an aircraft that is not only an important combat vehicle, but also a potential "signal" for operational aspects. As soon as the possibility of American involvement in a "campaign" against Iran is mentioned, the "Spirit" and its bomb are immediately mentioned.


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