Boeing’s redesigned Massive Ordnance Penetrator is ready for “successful prosecution,” according to the most recent annual report to Congress from Michael Gilmore, the Pentagon’s top tester. The 30,000-pound bunker-busting bomb underwent two sled tests at Holloman AFB, N.M., last summer “to confirm a successful redesign of a critical part of the weapon system,” states the 2012 report, submitted to Congress on Jan. 11. From June 2012 to October 2012, a B-2 stealth bomber successfully conducted five weapon drops—three with live warheads and two with inert warheads—at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., to further evaluate the MOP’s performance, states the report. “The sled test results and the additional weapon drops indicate that the weapon redesign is adequate for successful prosecution of all of the elements of the currently defined target set,” states the report. (DOT&E report) (See also MOP Up.)
Air Force Eyes New-Build F-16s to Boost Fighter Force
Sept. 16, 2026
The Air Force will consider acquiring new F-16 Fighting Falcon jets to answer capacity shortfalls in its aging fighter fleet, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. These discussions are happening as the Air Force is building its proposed fiscal 2028 budget and the five-year spending plan that goes…
