USA Requests Lebanon to Return Unexploded GBU-39 Bomb

The United States has asked the Lebanese authorities to hand over an unexploded GBU-39 bomb used by Israeli air forces during an operation in Beirut that led to the elimination of Hezbollah commander Ali Tabatabai.

According to Lebanese media reports, the munition did not work and remained in the country, The Jerusalem Post reports.

American officials have expressed concern that modern weapons could fall into the hands of Russia or China. Washington believes that the technologies embedded in the GBU-39 are of strategic value and should not be beyond the control of the allies.

The Lebanese government has not yet given an official response to the US request.

The GBU-39 is a precision-guided glide bomb manufactured by Boeing. It is equipped with folding wings that allow it to travel up to 110 km without its own engine.

The cost of one munition is about $50,000, which makes it relatively cheap compared to other high-precision systems. Despite its compact size – with its weight about 110 kg – the bomb is capable of penetrating concrete fortifications and causing significant damage.

The GBU-39 is equipped with the GPS and inertial navigation systems, which ensures an accuracy of up to one meter.