Why the US Military Is Sounding the Alarm on Underground Threats: A Deep Dive Into Bunker Busters and the Future of Middle East Defense

As the global security landscape shifts beneath our feet—literally—the top US commander in the Middle East is sending a clear message to defense contractors and the Pentagon: we need more firepower for what’s happening underground. This isn’t just a tactical adjustment; it’s a strategic pivot that will define how the US fights in the coming decade.

If you’re building or selling defense tech, especially in the hard-target penetration or electronic warfare space, this is your playbook.

The Underground Arms Race: Why “Everybody Is Going Underground”

Adm. Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), laid it bare during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday. His message was blunt: US adversaries are moving their most critical assets underground, and CENTCOM doesn’t have enough tools to respond.

“Everybody is going underground,” Cooper told lawmakers.

This isn’t hyperbole. Iran, in particular, has spent years burying nuclear facilities, command centers, and weapons stockpiles beneath layers of reinforced concrete and rock. Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan are prime examples—sites that are now hundreds of feet underground, protected from even the most advanced air-to-surface missiles.

But Iran isn’t alone. Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and other proxy forces backed by Tehran are following the same playbook. They’re digging deep, using tunnels and underground bunkers to shield personnel, rockets, and communication hubs from US airstrikes.

This is a growing challenge for the US military. The era of surface-level targets is fading. The future of warfare is below ground.

The Weapon of Choice: GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator

To counter this threat, the US relies on the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)—a conventional bomb that weighs roughly 30,000 pounds. For context, that’s heavier than a fully loaded Humvee.

Designed specifically to penetrate hardened underground targets, the GBU-57 can burrow up to 200 feet into the ground before detonating, depending on the strength of the material it hits. Its predecessor, the GBU-43 (known as the “Mother of All Bombs”), is a surface-level weapon. The GBU-57 is a deep digger.

The bomb was used in combat for the first time last year during Operation Midnight Hammer, a US strike operation against three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. US forces released 14 GBU-57s in total, marking a historic moment in modern warfare.

However, there’s a catch: the GBU-57 can only be carried by the US Air Force’s B-2 Spirit bomber, and each B-2 can hold just two bombs internally. This limits the number of deep-target strikes the US can conduct in a single mission.

Why CENTCOM’s Wishlist Matters for Defense Innovators

Adm. Cooper didn’t just show up to complain. He presented a wishlist of capabilities he wants more of—and this is where the opportunity lies for defense contractors, startups, and investors.

At the top of his list:

1. Electronic warfare systems – With adversaries jamming GPS signals and radar, CENTCOM needs tools that can operate in denied environments.

2. Counter-UAS (uncrewed aerial systems) – Drones are changing the battlefield rapidly. Cooper noted that tactics are “changing very quickly,” requiring agile counter-drone tech.

3. Hard and deeply buried target capabilities – Specifically, weapons and sensors for finding and striking underground sites.

Number three is the biggest gap. Current bunker-busters are powerful but limited. The GBU-57’s successor will need to be lighter, because the B-2’s replacement—the B-21 Raider—is expected to carry only one MOP at a time. That means future bombs must pack the same punch in a smaller package, and they must function in GPS-denied environments, where signals from space can’t guide the weapon.

The Strategic Shift: What This Means for GTM Teams in Defense Tech

If you’re building a defense tech startup or working in government contracting, here’s your playbook:

1. Focus on Penetration, Not Just Payload

The US military isn’t just asking for bigger bombs. They need smarter penetration systems—warheads that can navigate underground obstacles, detect voids, and detonate at the precise depth to collapse a bunker while minimizing collateral damage.

2. Prioritize Underground ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)

You can’t destroy what you can’t find. CENTCOM needs better sensors for detecting underground facilities. Ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, and AI-driven analysis of satellite imagery are all high-demand areas.

3. Design for GPS-Denied Environments

The GBU-57’s successor will need to operate without GPS. That means inertial navigation, visual guidance, or other alternative systems. If your product works when satellites go dark, you’ve got a buyer.

4. Modularity Matters

The B-21 Raider will carry only one MOP. That’s a constraint. The solution? Make the bomb modular, so one aircraft can carry multiple smaller penetrators that can strike different targets in a single sortie.

5. Small and Medium Businesses, This Is Your Window

Large primes like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman dominate heavy munitions. But there’s room for nimble players in sensors, AI, and alternative guidance systems. CENTCOM is actively looking for innovation, not just legacy platforms.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Growing Budget Priority

Adm. Cooper’s testimony isn’t a one-off. It reflects a broader shift in Pentagon spending. The 2025 defense budget request includes increased funding for hard-target penetration, electronic warfare, and counter-UAS capabilities. The Biden administration has also signaled support for long-range strike platforms that can project power deep into enemy territory.

Expect to see more contracts awarded for next-generation penetration weapons in the next 12–18 months.

Looking Ahead: The B-21 Raider and the Future of Strategic Bombing

The B-21 Raider, which is currently in development, will eventually replace the B-2 Spirit. But here’s the challenge: the B-21 can only carry one GBU-57 at a time, compared to the B-2’s two. That means the US will need to either develop a lighter, more efficient bunker-buster or invest in a larger fleet of Raider bombers.

The B-21 program is already top-secret, but we know it’s designed to operate in contested environments, where GPS and communications are jammed. Pairing that capability with smart, penetrating munitions will be a game-changer for the US military.

Final Takeaway: The Underground Threat Is Real, and It’s Growing

Adm. Cooper’s warning should resonate across the defense ecosystem. The United States is facing a new kind of warfare—one where enemies dig deep, and where air power alone isn’t enough.

The good news? The DoD is actively seeking solutions. The bad news? The current arsenal of bunker-busters is limited in both quantity and capability.

For defense contractors and startups, this is the moment to innovate. If you can build a lighter, smarter, GPS-proof penetrator that fits on a B-21, you’ll have a line of buyers at CENTCOM and beyond.

Don’t wait for the next Operation Midnight Hammer. The underground arms race is already here. The question is: are you building the tools to win it?

Key Stats to Remember:

• 14 GBU-57s were dropped during Operation Midnight Hammer
• 30,000 lbs: weight of each GBU-57 bomb
• 200 ft: maximum penetration depth (depending on material)
• B-2 Spirit: only bomber currently capable of carrying the GBU-57 (2 per aircraft)
• B-21 Raider: expected to carry only 1 MOP at a time
• 3 priority areas for Adm. Cooper: electronic warfare, counter-UAS, and hard-target penetration

This is your chance to shape the future of strategic bombing. The demand is there. The budget is coming. Build smart, build deep, and build fast.