Posted on 01/27/2012 5:14:51 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Pentagon Seeks Mightier Bomb vs. Iran By ADAM ENTOUS And JULIAN E. BARNES
WASHINGTON—Pentagon war planners have concluded that their largest conventional bomb isn't yet capable of destroying Iran's most heavily fortified underground facilities, and are stepping up efforts to make it more powerful, according to U.S. officials briefed on the plan.
The 30,000-pound "bunker-buster" bomb, known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, was specifically designed to take out the hardened fortifications built by Iran and North Korea to cloak their nuclear programs.
But initial tests indicated that the bomb, as currently configured, wouldn't be capable of destroying some of Iran's facilities, either because of their depth or because Tehran has added new fortifications to protect them.
Doubts about the MOP's effectiveness prompted the Pentagon this month to secretly submit a request to Congress for funding to enhance the bomb's ability to penetrate deeper into rock, concrete and steel before exploding, the officials said.
The push to boost the power of the MOP is part of stepped-up contingency planning for a possible strike against Iran's nuclear program, say U.S. officials.
The Defense Department has spent about $330 million so far to develop about 20 of the bombs, which are built by Boeing Co. The Pentagon is seeking about $82 million more to make the bomb more effective, according to government officials briefed on the plan.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
We’ll never know until we actually use it, will we?
Yeah
I was thinking what one very small nuke would do.
The next step would have to be the EPNM,
the Earth Penetrating Nuclear Munition,
dropped in series to eat their way down
to the facility.
Probably messy but who cares.
Just explode a very dirty nuke so all the operators get radiation poisoning every time they go to work the next 100 years. Besides we have plenty of shovel ready nukes in inventory.
You know, it’s probably not necessary to actually “Destroy” a bunker totally if you can convert it to a tomb!
So long as the elevators and tunnels are collapsed by the blast, no one and no material will be getting in or out.
The Idjits might dig them out eventually, but the activity would be visible and easily stopped with conventional bombs.
How about a 1000kg solid Tungsten or Depleted Uranium warhead on an ICBM? I believe tha the impact would be 0.075 Kilotons focuses on a small area.
Too bad we got rid of the B41’s. High yield and dirty.
Or a larger one for extended deterence.
B53s. Nine megatons yield and you can lay them right down on top by parachute.
Off Topic...
Note: It is unknown to me if this is correct information or disinformation.
#
presstv.ir/detail/223154.html
“Iran, Iraq ink MoU on transportation”
Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:34AM GMT
SNIPPET: “Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Ali Nikzad (L) and Iraq’s Minister of Transportation Hadi al-Amiri signed an MoU on transportation.
Iran and Iraq have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase cooperation in road, railway and air transportations as well as technical and engineering fields.
The MoU was signed by Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Ali Nikzad and Iraq’s Minister of Transportation Hadi al-Amiri on Wednesday.
Under the MoU, Iran and Iraq agreed to facilitate bus travel and launch more direct flights between the two countries. They also agreed to connect the two countries’ railways through Khosravi and Shalamcheh border lines.
Nikzad also said Iran is ready to cooperate with Iraq in housing projects.”
The question is...
Is there a money for a bigger bomb and how long will that take?
#
Off Topic:
defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=66959
“Odierno: Army Will Become More Capable Through Drawdown”
By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2012
defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=66960
“Schwartz: Smaller Air Force Will Still be Effective”
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2012
A Look at Iran
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
Why wouldn’t we just try to blow up the elevators down to the bottom. Cut off their O2 and will set them back a few days.
Dropping rods from space would do just fine.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4181664,00.html
“Barak: Iran ‘drifting’ toward nuke goal line
Defense minister tells Davos World Economic Forum international community must curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions before surgical strike becomes only option”
Associated Press
Published: 01.27.12, 14:28 / Israel News
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4181550,00.html
“Dempsey: US, Israel view Iran threat very differently
US army chief says Washington determined to prevent nuclear Iran, ‘but that doesn’t mean dropping bombs necessarily’”
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 01.27.12, 00:08 / Israel News
We do not need one...we need real leadership!
Ok, then use 10 of those consecutively in the same spot - they hit it sooner or later.
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