US Air Force seeks additional suppliers of bunker bomb warheads
GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator. (Photo: US DoD Director Operational Test and Evaluation)
The USAF plans to award up to four contracts to expand production of large penetrator warhead case assemblies supporting the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator and future GBU-76 Next-Generation Penetrator.
The US Air Force (USAF) Materiel Command has recently issued a request for proposals (RfP) to identify additional suppliers for large penetrator warhead case production capable of processing assemblies weighing more than 20,000lbs (10t).
The move indicates the branch’s interest in strengthening its ability to destroy hardened and deeply buried targets and ensure sufficient manufacturing capacity for current and future deep-strike munitions. Currently, only ELLWOOD National Forge and Superior Forge & Steel provide this specialised component to the service.
A large penetrator warhead case equips the heaviest deep-strike bunker-buster munitions such as the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) used against Iranian
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Spain air focus: Mature UAV market rewards early supplier engagement]()
Spain air focus: Mature UAV market rewards early supplier engagement
Spain accounts for 5% of European military UAV spending, broadly in line with its share of the continent’s wider defence market. What sets the country apart, however, is how much of that spending has already been committed, reflecting Spain's earlier adoption of the capability.
-
![New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition]()
New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition
The US$234 million award for 16 Sikorsky UH-60Ms preserves near-term production, but funding uncertainty and an undefinitised contract leave the US Army’s long-term Black Hawk requirements unresolved.
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
