Did US use its biggest-ever MOP bunker buster bombs in Yemen? Air Force officials react to reports

Ever since the US Air Force deployed its epic B-2 stealth bombers to Diego Garica as part of its military campaign against Houthis in Yemen, there have been reports that the Americans used its largest ever conventional bombs against the militants in Yemen.

However, a report quoting US Air Force officials has denied the speculations that it used the GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs against the militant group. "Based on current knowledge of what munitions have been used and reports that have made it up the chain of command, my understanding is that the GBU-57 hasn’t been used during this ongoing operation," a senior US official also told The War Zone, a US-based defence website.  

The official's confirmation comes as reports appeared on many official websites that B-2 stealth bombers pounded Houthis with MOP bunker busters. So far, the Pentagon has not released any information about what kind of munition the B-2s dropped on Yemen.  

Interestingly, the B-2s are the only weapons that can carry and deploy the MOP. Each bomber jet can carry two bombs. The US has so far not used the MOPs in any combat.

The report added that The War Zone also examined the tunnel complexes employed by Houthis in Yemen to check for damages, of which there were no signs. That said, satellite images have major limitations in capturing underground visuals. 

Also read: Iran plans to strike US stealth bombers in Diego Garcia to counter American attack: Report

What is an MOP

The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) is a 30,000-lb (14,000 kg), 20-foot long GPS-guided bomb with the ability to penetrate 200 feet of concrete before exploding, according to The Aviationist. It was devised by the US after the 2003 Iraq War where the already existent bunker buster bombs were found to be inadequate.

Experts believe the chatter about the use of MOPs is a message to Iran, considering that its two biggest uranium enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow are deep underground.

Middle East