The GBU-57 Bunker Buster: A U.S. Asset with Global Implications

The situation in Iran is becoming increasingly precarious. Following Israel's airstrike on the Natanz nuclear facility and the assassination of key military and scientific figures, there are claims that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could be targeted at any moment. This suggests a demand for Iran to completely abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Khamenei, a figure from the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is believed to be hiding in a deep underground bunker. While Israel successfully destroyed surface facilities at Natanz, the fortified Fordow facility, which houses enriched uranium, remains untouched due to its underground location. The missiles used in the Natanz attack are insufficient to penetrate such deep bunkers.

In this context, reports have emerged that former U.S. President Donald Trump is considering the use of American military assets to target Iran's underground facilities. The GBU-57 bunker buster has been prominently featured in global media as a potential weapon for this purpose.

The GBU-57, a Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), is designed to penetrate deep underground to destroy bunkers and tunnels. Weighing 13.4 tons, it is currently operated exclusively by the U.S. military, classified as a top-tier strategic weapon, and is not available for export to other nations, including Israel, a key ally.

While Israel has utilized the BLU-109 bunker buster during the 2023-2024 conflict with Hamas, its 870 kg warhead is deemed inadequate for penetrating the Fordow facility.

What about South Korea? Contrary to some beliefs, South Korea does possess its own bunker-busting capabilities. While it may not have bombs like the GBU-57, it has developed the Hyunmoo-5, a massive ballistic missile often referred to as a 'monster missile.'

The domestically developed Hyunmoo-5 is a conventional short-range ballistic missile with destructive power comparable to tactical nuclear weapons. Its warhead weighs 8 tons, significantly more than the typical 1-ton warhead of conventional missiles, allowing it to target structures buried up to 100 meters underground, including North Korean command bunkers and nuclear facilities.

The Hyunmoo-5 was publicly unveiled during the National Armed Forces Day ceremony in October 2022, mounted on a 9-axle, 18-wheel transport vehicle. The missile is designed to launch using a 'cold launch' method, igniting in the air to ensure the vehicle's safety during firing.

The vehicle demonstrated impressive maneuverability, moving diagonally while maintaining the same angle across all 18 wheels. The military claims that the Hyunmoo can deliver precision strikes across all of North Korea.

With a range of approximately 300 km and the potential to extend beyond 3,000 km if the warhead weight is reduced to 1 ton, the Hyunmoo-5 can effectively target key locations in North Korea, including the North Korean leadership's bunkers and nuclear sites.

Another significant weapon in South Korea's arsenal is the K239 Cheonmu multiple launch rocket system, capable of firing a variety of missiles over a wide area. The name Cheonmu, meaning 'to cover the sky with rockets,' was chosen through a public contest in 2011.

The Cheonmu can operate with various munitions, including 239 mm guided missiles and 600 mm tactical missiles, achieving precision strikes with a margin of error as low as 15 meters. It can also deploy cluster munitions that can devastate an area three times the size of a soccer field.

As the world watches, it remains to be seen whether Trump will indeed deploy bunker busters in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Additionally, one must consider how North Korea, which previously sent fighter pilots to support Iran during the Iran-Iraq War, is observing the current situation in Iran.