The US Air Force has initiated a significant advancement in its arsenal by awarding a 24-month contract to Applied Research Associates (ARA) for the development of a testbed aimed at the Next Generation Penetrator (NGP) air-to-ground weapon system. This advanced weapon system is specifically engineered to target hardened bunkers, tunnels, and other deeply buried installations, signaling a progressive shift in munitions designed to counter increasingly fortified threats.
The NGP aims to replace the existing GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), which has been operational since the early 2000s. ARA, based in New Mexico, will be responsible for designing and constructing both sub-scale and full-scale prototypes as part of this project. In collaboration with Boeing, the current prime contractor for the GBU-57/B, ARA will also focus on developing and integrating the necessary tail kit support for the new system.
The GBU-57/B, weighing in at 30,000 pounds (13,608 kilograms) and equipped with a BLU-127/B warhead that utilizes GPS guidance, was employed operationally for the first time in June during Operation Midnight Hammer, tasked with neutralizing Iran’s underground nuclear facilities. Insights garnered from this operation are expected to play a critical role in shaping the requirements for the NGP.
The initiative surrounding the NGP underscores the US commitment to maintaining its dominance in penetrating munitions amid evolving security challenges posed by hardened underground sites. Although specific capabilities of the NGP remain under wraps, a US Air Force request for information in 2024 indicated a preference for a warhead weighing under 22,000 pounds (9,979 kilograms) with varied effects—blast, fragmentation, and penetration. Furthermore, the integration of embedded fuze technology is anticipated to enhance detonation accuracy.
As part of this strategic push, the Air Force has earmarked $73.7 million in its fiscal 2026 budget proposal to facilitate ongoing research, ground sub-scale testing, and full-scale static tests for the NGP project, reflecting a broader investment in modernizing its munitions capabilities to counter sophisticated threats effectively.
