Air Force to buy 15-ton bombs from Boeing

The Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., announced Monday the service will buy 20 massive bombs designed to destroy hard targets or targets deep underground.

At 30,000 pounds, the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, developed by the Air Force and Boeing, promises to be the largest guided bomb flown on any bomber.

Five bombs will be used for tests. The price is still being negotiated and a contract with Boeing should be signed by the end of this year. Development plans call for flight tests to begin by June 2011.

Only the B-2 Spirit bomber will be able to carry the 30,000 weapon, which will use Global Positioning System signals or inertial guidance to find their target.
Air Force Times