US Army releases spectacular video of bunker buster bombs!

US Army releases spectacular video of bunker buster bombs!

On July 3, 2025, the US military released video footage demonstrating the effects of the GBU-57 bunker-busting bomb. The video contains footage from a test from 2020 and shows the devastating penetration power of the bomb, which weighs around 15,000 kilograms. This bomb was recently used in the airstrike on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility on June 22, when seven B-2 stealth bombers dropped a total of twelve GBU-57s, although it remains unclear how much immediate damage was caused. The Fordo complex, located deep underground, is considered one of the most secure facilities in Iran's nuclear program and is protected by Iranian and Russian air defense systems.

The GBU-57 was specifically designed to effectively destroy underground targets. This bomb is the product of extensive intelligence analysis that went into the weapon's design, and its development began in 2009. Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, explain that the bombs were optimized for targeted attacks on the Fordow facility, which began construction in 2006.

Operations and strategies

The attack on the Fordow facility, which is located approximately 80 meters below the surface, targeted the main ventilation routes. Before the attack, Iran had placed large concrete slabs over these routes, which were eliminated by the first bombs. A US official confirmed that the GBU-57 was considered the best option to damage or destroy the facility hidden deep in the mountains. For the attack, the B-2 Spirit was the only bomber configured to use the GBU-57 A/B.

The GBU-57 has the ability to penetrate up to 61 meters into the ground before exploding. This makes them one of the most effective means of reaching military targets deep underground. The B-2's payload capacity, approximately 40,000 pounds, also played a critical role in the success of the operation. The decision-making process for the attack was initially delayed, but within two days of a G7 meeting, President Trump made the decision to use these bombs.

Consequences and reactions

The use of the GBU-57 raises important questions regarding future negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. Experts and leaders, including Israeli politicians, hope for a complete elimination of Iran's missile and nuclear programs. However, it remains unclear whether highly enriched uranium, needed to make nuclear weapons, was present at the sites at the time of the attack. Hegseth and other military officials said they had no information about whether the uranium was destroyed or moved.

International reactions to this military operation are divided. While some countries see the measure as necessary to limit Iranian ambitions, others fear the move could further escalate tensions in the region. The potential far-reaching impact of the attack could have significant consequences not only for Iran, but also for global peace and security.

With these developments, the fate of Iran's nuclear program and global diplomatic efforts remains uncertain.