U.S. B-2 stealth bombers have not dropped Massive Ordnance Penetrators on Yemeni Houthis since operations intensified under the Trump administration. Officials confirmed that no MOPs were employed, despite some media reports. Future usage remains a topic of discussion as military priorities evolve, particularly concerning Iran.
Recent reports indicate that U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bombers have not utilized GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs against the Houthis in Yemen during the ongoing military operations which escalated during the Trump administration. Officials clarified that despite speculation, these 30,000-pound bombs are reserved for selective use due to their specialized nature.
The topic arose after six B-2s were sent to Diego Garcia as part of a broader military force increase in the region. The insinuation was that such deployments could signal to Iran, particularly in light of previous B-2 operations against Houthis last year. Reports linking MOPs to current strikes originated from a Fox News segment, prompting further inquiries into MOP usage.
A U.S. official confirmed that no MOPs have been used recently in Yemen, even as B-2s have engaged with other types of munitions. The precise weapons deployed in last year’s B-2 strikes remain unclear, and there has only been limited Pentagon communication regarding the current operation since March 17.
Satellite imagery analysis by TWZ revealed no major damage to Houthis’ tunnel complexes, which could imply either successful strikes with bunker busters or limitations in detecting resultant damage through available imagery.
While future deployments of GBU-57/Bs on Houthi targets aren’t ruled out, the currently limited stockpile necessitates careful consideration to maintain adequate munitions for larger contingencies, especially concerning Iran. Any use of MOPs could serve both tactical and strategic signaling purposes, providing crucial data on their effectiveness against entrenched targets.
In summary, although B-2 bombers have been deployed to Diego Garcia and speculations about MOP bombardment in Yemen arose, officials confirm that no such operations have occurred recently. The communications surrounding U.S. military actions remain limited, and the potential future use of GBU-57/Bs will depend on strategic needs, especially regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities and associated underground facilities.
Original Source: www.twz.com
