"Mother of All Bombs": What Makes American Weapons So Lethal?

The article reviews the American MOAB (GBU-43) bomb, considered the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal. It weighs about 10 tons, contains 8.5 tons of explosives, and causes complete destruction within a 300-meter radius. Israeli experts assess that U.S. publications about the intention to use it are meant to send a deterrent message to Iran and change the rules of the game in war. However, the bomb has a significant drawback: it cannot penetrate deep into the ground, raising questions about its effectiveness against underground nuclear facilities at Mount Khoch. The U.S. also has the GBU-57 bomb, which is more effective against fortified bunkers.

Amir Bohbot's article on Walla! discusses the American MOAB (GBU-43) bomb, known as the "Mother of All Bombs," and the significance of its potential use against Iran. The bomb, weighing about 10 tons and containing 8.5 tons of explosives, is defined as the most powerful and heaviest non-nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal. It causes complete destruction within a 300-meter radius, including the destruction of buildings, infrastructure, and vegetation, and kills people. In the second circle, up to 800 meters, the destruction is high and includes fatalities, and within a radius of 1.5 kilometers, the blast causes damage, hearing loss, and blast injuries. Therefore, the bomb has a significant psychological effect even before its use. Israeli experts assess that U.S. publications about the intention to use the bomb are meant to send a deterrent message to Iran and change the rules of the game in war. However, the bomb's notable drawback is its inability to penetrate deep into the ground, raising questions about its effectiveness against underground nuclear facilities at Mount Khoch. Additionally, dropping it from a slow transport aircraft requires American air superiority in the area. The article notes that the U.S. has another formidable bomb, the GBU-57, which is more effective against fortified bunkers deep underground. It is also assessed that using such a bomb could lead to an escalation in Iran's response, and in Israel, it is estimated that the use would be coordinated with the IDF.