GBU-28 Bunker Buster: America’s Precision Bomb for Underground Bunkers
When conventional bombs fail to reach hardened or deeply buried targets, militaries turn to a different class of weapon—one engineered for the toughest jobs. Enter the GBU-28, a precision-guided, deep-penetration munition designed to obliterate reinforced concrete bunkers and underground command centers. Born out of urgent necessity during the Gulf War, the GBU-28 has since become a vital asset in America’s arsenal of strategic air-delivered weapons.
Originally developed in a matter of weeks to neutralize Iraq’s fortified underground bunkers in 1991, the GBU-28 was more than an innovation—it was a revolution. With its hardened casing, advanced guidance systems, and ability to pierce up to 20 feet of reinforced concrete or 100 feet of earth, the GBU-28 set a new standard for bunker-busting capability.
This article explores the weapon’s rapid development, powerful specifications, operational use, and enduring relevance in the evolving landscape of modern warfare.
What Is the GBU-28?
The GBU-28 is a laser-guided bomb specifically engineered to defeat deeply buried and heavily fortified enemy installations. Unlike traditional munitions that detonate upon or near impact, the GBU-28 is built to penetrate hardened targets before exploding, maximizing internal damage where it matters most.
Developed by the U.S. Air Force in the closing days of the Gulf War, this weapon marked the arrival of the modern “bunker buster” era. At more than 4,000 pounds and 19 feet in length, the GBU-28 combines brute force with pinpoint accuracy. Its initial design incorporated surplus 8-inch howitzer barrels—chosen for their strength and availability—as casings, enabling rapid development. With laser-guidance from aircraft or ground units and powerful high explosives like Tritonal or AFX-757, the bomb can accurately strike and destroy subterranean targets.
Its value lies in its precision and penetration. Capable of reaching depths that conventional bombs cannot, the GBU-28 remains one of the few weapons capable of neutralizing deeply embedded command and control facilities or weapons caches.
Origins: Built in a Race Against Time
The development of the GBU-28 is a story of wartime urgency driving extraordinary innovation. In early 1991, U.S. forces identified Iraqi bunkers that conventional weapons couldn’t destroy. These hardened, deeply buried command centers posed a serious challenge as the coalition prepared for a ground offensive.
The U.S. military called for a new weapon—and fast. The timeline: under 30 days.
Engineers from the U.S. Air Force, Texas Instruments, and Watervliet Arsenal quickly got to work. Repurposing M201 8-inch artillery barrels into bomb casings, they created a weapon body capable of surviving high-speed penetration. The bomb was then fitted with a laser guidance kit adapted from the Paveway III system. Within just three weeks, a functional prototype was ready.
Tests at Nevada’s Tonopah Test Range confirmed the weapon’s effectiveness. On February 27, 1991, two GBU-28 bombs were dropped by F-111F aircraft over Iraq, striking underground command bunkers with surgical precision. The result: mission success and the birth of a new class of smart, hard-target munitions.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
The GBU-28 is a heavyweight in every sense. It weighs roughly 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), stretches about 25 feet in length (7.6 meters), and has a diameter of 14.5 inches (37 cm). It carries a warhead containing approximately 630 pounds of Tritonal or AFX-757 explosive, designed to unleash powerful shockwaves that collapse bunkers from within.
Its hardened casing, originally made from repurposed artillery barrels, allows it to maintain integrity during high-speed penetration. Later iterations adopted even stronger materials, such as Eglin steel and advanced heat-treated alloys, enhancing penetration capabilities.
When dropped from altitude, the GBU-28 can reach impact speeds over 700 mph. Combined with its robust casing and explosive payload, this velocity allows the bomb to bore through 100 feet of soil or 20 feet of reinforced concrete before detonation.
Laser guidance was the original method of targeting, enabling the bomb to home in on a designated laser spot. Newer variants, such as the Enhanced GBU-28 (EGBU-28), introduced dual-mode guidance, incorporating GPS and inertial navigation for increased versatility and precision in all-weather conditions.
Combat Deployment and Operational Use
Since its first use during Operation Desert Storm, the GBU-28 has served in several major conflicts—though its deployments have been limited and highly strategic. This is not a weapon for general-purpose bombing; it is reserved for specific missions against critical hardened targets.
Its combat debut came in 1991, when two bombs struck suspected Iraqi command bunkers near Baghdad. Though the war ended shortly thereafter, the GBU-28’s performance demonstrated the value of deep-penetration precision munitions.
The bomb has been used in later operations, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, and by U.S. allies like Israel. Israel acquired GBU-28s in the 2000s for use against potential underground targets in Iran and Syria. Their inclusion in arms packages, especially during tense periods involving Iran’s nuclear program, highlights the bomb’s continued strategic relevance.
Each GBU-28 strike sends a powerful message: no underground facility is truly safe from precision-guided American or allied airpower.
GBU-28 vs. Modern Bunker Busters
Though still formidable, the GBU-28 has been surpassed in raw penetrating power by the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound weapon developed for even deeper and more hardened targets.
Whereas the GBU-28 can penetrate 20 feet of concrete or 100 feet of earth, the GBU-57 can crush through over 60 feet of concrete or 200 feet of soil. However, the GBU-57 requires large bombers like the B-2 Spirit for delivery and is far less flexible in deployment.
In contrast, the GBU-28 can be deployed from a wider variety of platforms, including the F-15E, F-111F, and even modified F-16s. Its relatively smaller size, lower cost, and compatibility with different aircraft make it a practical choice for many missions—particularly where extreme penetration is not required.
Ongoing upgrades, including improved guidance systems and warhead designs, ensure the GBU-28 remains an effective option in modern strike scenarios.
Global Operators and Export Policy
Due to its strategic nature, the GBU-28 has not been widely exported. However, it has been selectively shared with close U.S. allies.
Israel remains the most notable foreign operator. The U.S. approved GBU-28 transfers to Israel in response to concerns about Iran’s deeply buried nuclear infrastructure. These bombs play a key role in Israel’s long-range deterrence capabilities, even though they haven’t been used in major strikes against Iranian targets—yet.
South Korea has also expressed interest in the bomb, particularly due to North Korea’s vast network of underground bunkers and missile facilities. While official transfers have not been publicly confirmed, discussions have emerged in joint U.S.-ROK strategic planning contexts.
Other countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, have reportedly discussed acquiring the GBU-28, but exports remain tightly controlled given the weapon’s sensitive mission profile.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Precision and Power
The GBU-28 is more than just a bomb—it’s a case study in rapid military innovation. Developed under extreme pressure and fielded within weeks, it redefined how modern air forces attack buried threats. Even decades later, it remains a key option in a planner’s toolkit for dealing with hardened underground targets.
While newer, larger bunker busters like the GBU-57 now dominate the headlines, the GBU-28 continues to fill a vital niche: offering high-precision, high-penetration performance in a smaller, more flexible package.
In an era where adversaries increasingly turn to underground infrastructure to shield assets, the GBU-28 remains a silent enforcer of strategic deterrence—capable, reliable, and ready to answer the call when no other weapon will do.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the GBU-28 bunker buster bomb designed for?
The GBU-28 is designed to destroy hardened and deeply buried targets such as underground command bunkers and fortified facilities.
How deep can the GBU-28 penetrate?
The GBU-28 can penetrate up to 100 feet of soil or 20 feet of reinforced concrete before detonating.
What guidance system does the GBU-28 use?
It uses laser guidance, and enhanced versions also include GPS and inertial navigation for greater accuracy in all conditions.
What aircraft can carry and deploy the GBU-28?
Aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-111F, and modified F-16s are capable of deploying the GBU-28.
When was the GBU-28 first used in combat?
The GBU-28 was first used during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, successfully targeting underground Iraqi bunkers.
Which countries operate the GBU-28 bomb?
The United States and Israel are confirmed operators of the GBU-28. South Korea and others have expressed interest.
How does the GBU-28 compare to the GBU-57 MOP?
While the GBU-28 is smaller and more flexible, the GBU-57 MOP is much larger and designed for even deeper penetration into heavily fortified targets.
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