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Pentagon Revamps MOP Design, Enhances Bombing Capabilities

2/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. government reverse-engineered a key GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) component, saving four years of design work.
It uses Army Tactical Missile System technology to address obsolescence.
The Pentagon is pushing reforms to reduce vendor lock-in, following Boeing's sole-source contract for MOP production.
The MOP remains crucial for targeting deeply buried sites, especially in Iran.
The B-21 Raider is expected to carry MOPs.

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Story summary

The U.S. government reverse-engineered a key GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) component, saving four years of design work.
It uses Army Tactical Missile System technology to address obsolescence.
The Pentagon is pushing reforms to reduce vendor lock-in, following Boeing's sole-source contract for MOP production.
The MOP remains crucial for targeting deeply buried sites, especially in Iran.
The B-21 Raider is expected to carry MOPs.