A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF THE M.O.A.B. (MOTHER OF ALL BOMBS)
The mother of all bombs, commonly known as MOAB, is the largest non-nuclear man-made bomb used in combat. Its creation pushed the boundaries of what bombs can be. The MOAB bomb is truly one piece of weaponry you shouldn’t underestimate, and its effectiveness against our enemies is nothing short of brilliance. Suggested read:Think You Know How To Survive a Nuclear Bomb? Find Out Here!
What Is the Mother of All Bombs?
The mother of all bombs, formally known as the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB bomb for short, is the largest non-nuclear man-made bomb to ever be created. The mother of all bombs was developed in order to be used against large formations of troops, equipment, and above-ground bunkers that have a strong exterior to protect them. Initially tested back in 2003, the bomb was first used in combat only very recently during the War in Iraq. The MOAB bomb allowed the United States Air Force to gain an advantage against their adversaries, specifically those in Iraq and Afghanistan. The success of the mother of all bombs inspired Russia so much that they, too, wanted to create something similar. Therefore, they built their own version and nicknamed it the “Father of All Bombs.” Tested back in 2007, the Russian military claims that their version is four times more powerful than the American-made one. Their version uses a deadly “thermobaric or vacuum” blast that exudes energy equivalent to 44 tons of TNT. More like this:Did Russia Just Use a Vacuum Bomb?
How Big Is the Mother of All Bombs?
The size of the bomb definitely correlates to its name and effectiveness. The MOAB bomb, as a non-nuclear weapon, comes in at 30 feet (9 meters) and 21,600 pounds (9,800 kilograms). It’s a GPS-guided munition that’s dropped from the cargo doors of an MC-130 transport plane and detonates shortly before it hits the ground. When the MOAB bomb falls, it’s guided by a parachute that allows the bomb to smoothly glide down. This is also simultaneously stabilized and directed by four grid-like fins. The cost leading up to a MOAB bomb explosion, which can yield a blast radius of up to 1 mile, does not come cheap. Each bomb is reported to cost around $16 million. Given the bomb’s size, weight, and its 11 tons of TNT, that price begins to make a lot of sense.
Has the Mother of All Bombs Ever Been Used Before?
The mother of all bombs, also known as the GBU-43B, was used to strike ISIS in Afghanistan on April 13, 2017. As the MOAB bomb is the largest conventional non-nuclear bomb in the United States’s arsenal, it caused a lot of destruction. The MOAB bomb was dropped from an MC-130J airplane, which belonged to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). AFSOC’s mission is to provide foreign aviation internal defense. In this case, it meant pushing a MOAB bomb out of the back of the aircraft and monitoring its trajectory as it floated down in a parachute. This MOAB Afghanistan bombing marked the first time that the Air Force used a GPS-guided bomb in battle. The purpose of the use of the mother of all bombs back in April 2017 was to destroy an ISIS bunker and cave complex located in the Achin District of the Nangarhar Province. This MOAB bombing killed an estimated 36 to 90 ISIS militants. The bomb hit a command center that housed a stash of weapons and ammunition, causing the mother of all bomb explosions to be even bigger than anticipated.
The Mother of All Bombs Is Watching Us All
The MOAB, mother of all bombs, has certainly earned that title. After its use in Afghanistan, the United States military won’t forget its effectiveness and lethality against our enemies. It's difficult to predict when the United States will or can use the MOAB bomb again, but it’s safe to say that the bomb sets a benchmark for bombs of the future. Read next:The 'Candy Bomber' Targeted Children After WWII
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military history
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