United States First Uses GBU-72/B Bunker Buster Bomb in Iran

The United States has announced the first combat use of the GBU-72 Advanced 5k Penetrator, a 2,270 kg penetrating air-delivered bomb.

This was reported by CENTCOM.

Several such bombs were dropped on fortified positions with Iranian anti-ship missiles along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz.

The munition, whose testing was completed in 2021, was designed to destroy deeply buried and fortified targets.

The GBU-72 has a reinforced casing and uses GPS guidance.

In the U.S. inventory, it occupies an intermediate position between the less powerful GBU-28 (capable of penetrating up to 30 meters of soil or 6 meters of reinforced concrete) and the more powerful GBU-57 MOP, which can penetrate up to 80 meters of rock or 60 meters of reinforced concrete.

The primary carrier aircraft for this bomb is the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber.

The aircraft underwent a series of successful tests at Eglin Air Force Base, confirming its ability to safely carry and release such a heavy payload.

In addition to fighter aircraft, U.S. command is considering the use of the bomb on strategic platforms, including the B-1B Lancer and the B-21 Raider stealth bomber developed by Northrop Grumman.

It is not the first use of bunker buster bombs in Iran. In June 2025, the United States used six GBU-57A/B MOP bombs against the Fordo facility.

The Fordo nuclear facility is located at a depth of about 80-90 meters in rock, making it significantly harder to strike with conventional munitions.

That marked the first combat use of the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), which weighs about 13,600 kilograms.

Militarnyi reported that the U.S. Air Force plans to procure additional GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs to replenish stocks after Operation Midnight Hammer in Iran.