Regardless of what size bombs Israel uses, these systems are inadequate for breaking through the hardened layers at facilities like Natanz and Fordow. This is why it wants direct American support.
Now that the Israel-Iran War is underway, the first battle damage assessments of Israel’s airstrikes against key Iranian nuclear weapons facilities are beginning to trickle out. Details are still scant, of course—but it has been widely reported that Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment facility has effectively been put out of action, and nuclear weapons development facilities in Isfahan and Karaj have been hit as well.
Rumors are swirling that Iran’s Fordow facility, the crown jewel of its nuclear program, has been attacked. Yet there remains some doubt as to whether that facility has been destroyed. Fordow in particular is an extremely hardened target—having been built under a mountain in anticipation of an aerial attack. To effectively destroy Fordow, the Israelis will require a far bigger bunker-busting bomb than what they currently have available in their current arsenal. Of course, the Israelis could probably deploy tactical nuclear weapons to do the job—but would rather not trigger the political and diplomatic fallout from such a move unless it were absolutely necessary.
Still, the weapons that Israel has employed in their campaign against Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities—as well as its leadership and nuclear scientist cadre—have been largely effective so far. Here are some of those systems based on available information:
GBU-39/B “Slim Bombs”
These precision-guided, small-diameter bombs were reportedly sighted on F-16I “Soufa” warplanes during the strikes. They are designed for high accuracy and can penetrate hardened targets, making them suitable for surface-level nuclear infrastructure. Then again, there are more hardened aspects of facilities, like those at Natanz, that these bombs cannot hit.
SPICE-1000 Glide Bombs
SPICE stands for “Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-Effective”; it is a precision-guided glide bomb developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli defense contractor. It is part of the SPICE family of munitions designed to convert unguided bombs into highly accurate, long-range weapons. The SPICE-1000 is based on a 1,000-pound warhead, typically derived from standard bombs, like the Mk-83. It is equipped with advanced guidance systems for precision strikes.
This weapon can be fitted with various warheads, including fragmentation (for soft targets), penetration (for hardened targets), or blast warheads, making it adaptable for a wide variety of different target sets.
This weapon has a standoff range of around 62 miles, allowing aircraft to release it from a safe distance and reducing exposure to enemy air defenses. This, of course, is in keeping with the general tenor of the Israeli strikes. While the IAF does enjoy air dominance over Iran, it is not complete—and the IAF has been relying heavily on standoff missiles, as it is obviously concerned that the Iranians might be able to bring their air defense systems online again.
The SPICE-1000 bomb uses a multi-node guidance system that combines GPS with INS (Inertial Navigation System), providing all-weather, high-accuracy navigation to preprogrammed coordinates. The weapon features a “man-in-the-loop” capability, allowing real-time target identification and adjustment via camera and data link. This is particularly effective against moving or relocating targets and in GPS-denied environments. The bomb’s scene-matching technology also compares real-time imagery with preloaded target data, enhancing accuracy even if GPS signals are jammed. What’s more, this weapon can integrate laser guidance for additional flexibility in dynamic combat scenarios, similar to systems like Paveway II.
This system is useful for striking above-ground and semi-hardened infrastructure, such as the centrifuge halls, electrical rooms, and supporting facilities at Natanz. It could be useful against Isfahan as well.
GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetration Bombs
It is believed that Israel has used these 5,000-pound bunker-busting bombs, designed for deeply buried targets, to take Natanz’s nuclear facility offline. These bombs are advanced for penetrating reinforced concrete and underground structures. However, it is important to understand that none of the weapons Israel has employed thus far have been effective in totally destroying the Iranian nuclear weapons facilities—which is why the IAF keeps re-striking these sites.
ROCKS Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles
The ROCKS missile, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, is a long-range, precision-guided missile launched from fighter jets. It is capable of striking distant targets with high accuracy—making it a good choice for surgical attacks of the sort that took place against Iran’s leadership.
“Blue Sparrow” and “Silver Sparrow” Missiles
These are air-launched ballistic missiles that are part of the “Ankor” missile family. Blue Sparrow is a target missile for testing, but Silver Sparrow is designed for operational strikes, potentially against hardened targets. Debris from the Ankor family was reportedly found in Iran, though these claims remain unverified.
Understanding Israel’s Limitations
Ultimately, whether Israel uses 1,000-pound, 3,000-pound, or 5,000-pound bombs, these systems are inadequate for breaking through the hardened layers at facilities like Natanz and Fordow. That is why the Netanyahu government has been asking for the Americans to more directly intervene in the conflict.
If the Americans deploy their 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), they could easily finish the Iranian nuclear weapons threat off. But that would mean an American escalation of the war—and certainly massive Iranian retaliation against American targets in the region.
Still, if the Israeli objective of destroying Iran’s nuclear weapons capacity is to be achieved, it will require American weapons sooner or later.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Alla Khananashvili.
