Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Two people, including a soldier, were injured in an Israeli airstrike near the town of Beit Yahoun, Bint Jbeil District, in South Lebanon
Araghchi: Iran is committed to diplomacy and expects the lifting of unjust and unilateral sanctions that directly target its people
Araghchi: We want a fair and balanced agreement reached within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with full respect for Iran's nuclear rights
Araghchi: Iran has always sought to alleviate legitimate international concerns about its nuclear program through transparency
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the principle of not producing or deploying weapons of mass destruction
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has never sought to possess nuclear weapons based on its principles
Araghchi: Iran has always emphasized that it does not seek nuclear weapons, and we call for a fair and just agreement that guarantees our national interests and lifts sanctions
Araghchi: We call for a referendum in Palestine so that the Palestinians can decide their fate
Araghchi: The Zionist entity is a threat to the countries of the region, and a real solution must be reached
Araghchi: Iran wishes nothing but good, progress, and development for its neighboring countries, and we must expand economic and structural projects with them

US expands production of 15-ton bombs to target nuclear facilities

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 May 2024 00:26
  • 11 Shares
3 Min Read

The bombs are designed to penetrate deeply buried nuclear facilities believed to exist in the DPRK and Iran.

  • x
  • Foxtrot Missile Alert Facility at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Aug. 17, 2023.
    Foxtrot Missile Alert Facility at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, August 17, 2023 (AP)

The US plans to expand the production of 30,000-pound bombs designed to penetrate deeply buried nuclear facilities believed to exist in the DPRK and Iran, as reported by Bloomberg on Tuesday.

According to the report, the expansion initiative will take place at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, situated in southeast Oklahoma.

This expansion aims to significantly ramp up the monthly production of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, also referred to as bunker-penetrators.

These colossal munitions are exclusively deployable from B-2 stealth bombers, the report notes.

The McAlester plant, nestled within an area spanning 70 square miles (181 square kilometers), is set to triple its output, reportedly generating between six and eight of these monstrous bombs each month.

Projected to conclude from late spring to early fall, the expansion project is slated to culminate in an official opening ceremony scheduled for July 30.

Read more: NATO Chief condemns Russia's nuclear drills as reckless

Related News

Kim Jong Un commands air force drills, pushes for war readiness

DPRK strengthens alliance with Russia during 2025 Victory Day events

Highlighting the strategic importance of these munitions, the report cites retired US Central Command Head General Frank McKenzie, who said that the deployment of the 30,000-pound bomb bolsters the US' capacity to effectively target heavily fortified subterranean facilities.

Moreover, it serves as a vital component in the broader strategy to deter nations like Iran from alleged hostile actions.

Iran to change nuclear doctrine if 'Israel' threatens its existence

On May 9, Iran announced that it would change its nuclear doctrine should "Israel" threaten its existence.

Contrary to what the West claims, Iran has consistently reiterated that it does not intend to build a nuclear bomb. "We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb, but should Iran's existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine," Kamal Kharrazi was quoted as saying by Iran's Student News Agency (ISNA).

Although Iran has the necessary capabilities to develop a nuclear bomb and advanced nuclear weapons, it previously banned such activities saying they were religiously forbidden. 

However, in the case of Israeli threats against Iran's sovereignty and interests, Kharrazi said Iran would shift its deterrence policy if the occupation threatens or decides to attack its nuclear facilities. 

Read more: Putin warns of nuclear war risk, says targets in West within reach

The DPRK, for its part, has previously issued several warnings against the West and South Korea due to constant breaches of the DPRK's sovereignty.

In late April, state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the country's first-ever "nuclear trigger" drills, which involved simulating a nuclear counterattack as a warning to enemies

  • DPRK
  • Nuclear Warheads
  • US
  • nuclear weapons
  • nuclear war
  • Iran

Most Read

Two F-35 jets arrive at it's new operational base Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Hill Air Force Base, in northern Utah. (AP)

F-35 near-misses over Yemen signal new risks for 'Israel': Forbes

  • Politics
  • 14 May 2025
Palestinians pray over bodies of people killed in the Israeli bombardment who were brought from the Shifa hospital before burying them in a mass grave in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP )

Gaza casualty figures mask a much bigger horror, new study shows

  • Politics
  • 11 May 2025
Abu Obaida

Abu Obeida posts shortly after Israeli reports about his assassination

  • Palestine
  • 15 May 2025
Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

  • Politics
  • 15 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
A Microsoft sign and logo are pictured at the company's headquarters, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP)
Technology

Microsoft admits supplying AI to 'Israel' amid Gaza carnage

Israeli occupation’s tanks parked in a staging area near the border with Gaza, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' launches multi-axis assault in Gaza under 'Gideon’s Chariots'

People stand at the train ticket counter of NJ Transit at Penn Station, amid a strike by New Jersey Transit train engineers, in New York, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Economy

Commuters stranded amid first New Jersey railway strike in 40 years

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts
US & Canada

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS