In a significant stride toward maintaining its edge in global military capabilities, the U.S. Air Force has embarked on a bold new project to develop the next generation of bunker-busting bombs. On September 8, 2025, the Air Force awarded a pivotal two-year contract to Applied Research Associates (ARA), a defense firm based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to design and prototype the Next Generation Penetrator (NGP). This advanced weapon is set to succeed the formidable GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound behemoth that gained notoriety for its role in a high-profile strike on Iran’s Fordo nuclear enrichment facility earlier this year. The development of the NGP signals the Air Force’s commitment to countering increasingly sophisticated threats posed by adversaries with fortified underground installations, a growing concern in modern warfare.
A New Era of Precision and Power
The Next Generation Penetrator is designed to address the evolving challenges of penetrating hard and deeply buried targets (HDBTs), such as underground laboratories, command centers, tunnels, and fortified shelters used by adversaries to protect critical assets or personnel. These targets, often shielded by layers of earth, concrete, or rock, pose significant obstacles to conventional munitions. The GBU-57 MOP, the current gold standard for such missions, has proven its worth, notably in the June 2025 strike on Iran’s Fordo facility, which is buried deep within a mountain. However, the Air Force is looking to the future, seeking a lighter, more versatile, and technologically advanced successor capable of operating in contested environments where GPS signals may be jammed or denied.
The contract, awarded through the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Eglin Munitions Directorate, tasks ARA with developing both subscale and full-scale prototypes of the NGP. The goal is to create a warhead that weighs no more than 22,000 pounds—significantly lighter than the MOP—while retaining or exceeding its predecessor’s destructive capabilities. The Air Force has specified that the NGP must deliver a combination of blast, fragmentation, and penetration effects, making it a versatile tool for a range of mission profiles. Additionally, the weapon’s navigation system must function reliably in GPS-degraded environments, a critical requirement given the increasing prevalence of electronic warfare tactics by adversaries like China and Russia.
A Collaborative Effort with Industry Giants
ARA is not working alone on this ambitious project. The company has partnered with Boeing, the original manufacturer of the GBU-57 MOP, to leverage its expertise in munitions development. Boeing’s role will focus on designing and developing the tail kit for the NGP, as well as supporting the integration of the complete weapon system. This collaboration underscores the complexity of the project, which requires a blend of innovative engineering and proven experience to meet the Air Force’s stringent requirements. By combining ARA’s research and prototyping capabilities with Boeing’s manufacturing prowess, the partnership aims to deliver a weapon that pushes the boundaries of what bunker-busting munitions can achieve.
The contract’s scope includes producing and testing both subscale and full-scale versions of the NGP within an 18-to-24-month timeframe. The Air Force has requested approximately 10 subscale warheads and three to five full-scale warheads for testing, allowing the service to evaluate the weapon’s performance against a variety of simulated HDBTs. These tests will assess the NGP’s ability to penetrate reinforced structures, deliver devastating explosive effects, and maintain accuracy in challenging conditions. The results of these tests will be critical in determining whether the NGP can meet the Air Force’s expectations for a next-generation weapon capable of neutralizing the most fortified enemy strongholds.
Why Bunker-Busters Matter
Bunker-busting bombs have become indispensable in modern military strategy, particularly as adversaries invest heavily in underground fortifications to protect their most valuable assets. From nuclear facilities to command-and-control centers, these HDBTs are designed to withstand conventional airstrikes, making them a significant challenge for military planners. The GBU-57 MOP, with its massive 30,000-pound frame and ability to penetrate deep underground, has been a cornerstone of the U.S. military’s arsenal for targeting such facilities. Its use in the Fordo strike demonstrated its ability to deliver decisive blows against even the most heavily protected targets.
However, the evolving nature of global threats demands a more advanced solution. Adversaries are not only building deeper and stronger bunkers but also deploying sophisticated electronic warfare systems to disrupt GPS-guided munitions. The NGP aims to address these challenges by incorporating cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced navigation systems and adaptive warhead designs, to ensure it can penetrate and destroy targets in contested environments. The lighter weight of the NGP—capped at 22,000 pounds—also suggests a focus on deployability, potentially allowing it to be carried by a wider range of aircraft, including next-generation fighters like the F-47, which is being developed under the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
The Strategic Context
The development of the NGP comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions like the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, where adversaries are expanding their underground infrastructure. The Fordo strike, which targeted Iran’s nuclear ambitions, underscored the strategic importance of bunker-busting capabilities in deterring and, if necessary, neutralizing threats to U.S. national security. The Air Force’s investment in the NGP reflects a broader effort to maintain technological and military superiority in an era of great power competition, where nations like China and Russia are rapidly advancing their own defense capabilities.
The NGP’s development also aligns with other Air Force modernization efforts, such as the NGAD program and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative, which aim to integrate advanced fighters, drones, and weapons into a cohesive “family of systems.” The NGP’s ability to operate in GPS-denied environments complements the NGAD’s focus on stealth and autonomy, ensuring that the Air Force can project power effectively in highly contested battle spaces. Similarly, the CCA’s “loyal wingman” drones could enhance the NGP’s effectiveness by providing real-time targeting data or electronic warfare support, creating a synergistic effect that amplifies the weapon’s impact.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the NGP holds immense promise, its development is not without challenges. The tight 18-to-24-month timeline for delivering prototypes places significant pressure on ARA and Boeing to innovate rapidly while ensuring reliability and safety. The requirement to operate in GPS-degraded environments adds another layer of complexity, as it demands advanced navigation technologies that can withstand electronic interference. Additionally, the Air Force’s emphasis on affordability—evident in the decision to cap the NGP’s weight at 22,000 pounds—suggests a need to balance performance with cost, a perennial challenge in defense procurement.
Nevertheless, the NGP project presents significant opportunities for the defense industry. For ARA, a relatively smaller player compared to industry giants like Boeing, the contract represents a chance to establish itself as a leader in advanced munitions development. For Boeing, the project reinforces its position as a key partner in the Air Force’s modernization efforts, building on its success with the GBU-57 MOP and its role in the NGAD program. The collaboration between these two firms could also pave the way for further innovations in munitions technology, potentially influencing other Air Force programs.
Looking Ahead
As the Air Force moves forward with the NGP, the stakes could not be higher. The ability to neutralize HDBTs is a critical component of U.S. national security strategy, particularly in an era where adversaries are increasingly relying on underground fortifications to protect their most sensitive assets. The NGP’s success will depend on ARA and Boeing’s ability to deliver a weapon that combines precision, power, and resilience in the face of advanced enemy defenses. If successful, the NGP could redefine the Air Force’s approach to strategic strikes, providing a versatile and effective tool for addressing the threats of tomorrow.
The coming years will be critical for the NGP program as it progresses from design to testing and, ultimately, production. The Air Force’s investment in this next-generation bunker-buster underscores its commitment to staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving global security landscape. As the world watches, the NGP has the potential to become a cornerstone of the U.S. military’s arsenal, ensuring that no target—however deeply buried or heavily fortified—is beyond its reach.
