July 23, 2007:
The U.S. Air Force is developing yet
another capability for its 20 B-2 stealth bombers. A new bomb rack is being
designed and built so the B-2 can drop the new, 15 ton Massive Ordnance
Penetrator (MOP). Three years ago, MOP replaced the proposed nuclear bomb
penetrator. MOP can be carried by a B-52, but a B-2 is more likely to get
through an intact, modern, air defense system.
The air force is putting a lot of money into
developing new bomb racks for the B-2. Recent additions are racks which allow a
B-2 to carry eighty 500 pound smart bombs, or sixteen 2,000 pound smart bombs.
Another new rack allows the B-2 to carry over a hundred of the 250 pound SDB
(Small Diameter Bomb) which has a ground penetrating ability.
The B-2 is also being equipped with a phased array
radar and targeting pod capabilities, to enable it to find targets, as well as
bomb them.