OSMP781

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ID

OSMP781

Date

29 September 2024

Source

Israeli Air Force

Reported Location

Israel

Year

2024

Munition Category

Air-Delivered Bomb

Functional use

Blast Munition Fragmentation Munition

Tentative Model

BLU-109 GBU-31 JDAM

Base Colour

Green Grey / Silver

Marking Colour

Yellow

Condition

Undelivered Munition Unfunctioned Munition Whole

Guidance

Guided Munition

Domain

Air-to-Surface

Fins Characteristic

Hinged/Actuated Fins Multiple Fins

Weight Class

2000 lbs

3 Analyst Notes

This is an image released by the Israeli Defense Forces that shows an F-15I of 69 Squadron Israeli Air Force preparing to take part in a high-profile airstrike on 27 September 2024, in which the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed.

Three BLU-109 bombs fitted with JDAM kits can be clearly seen on the aircraft in this image. The BLU-109 is a 2,000-pound-class air-delivered bomb made with a thick steel body to enhance penetration of hard targets. As a result, it contains approximately 400 pounds less explosive material than the general-purpose MK 84 air-delivered bomb, despite being in the same weight class. Such bombs are often referred to as bunker busters by media organisations. (ARES)

External Research

The Washington Post

“Initial available videos of the strike show that numerous large air-delivered bombs were used,” N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, wrote in a message to The Post. Jenzen-Jones added that the repeated impacts from multiple munitions suggests they were "aimed at penetrating a heavily protected space.”

The i

“Unfortunately, there are few munitions options for destroying a bunker located under one or more sizeable reinforced-concrete buildings," N.R. Jenzen-Jones said. "Larger, specialised penetrator models do exist, but the use of multiple 2,000lb-class bombs is a fairly predictable choice for this type of target, likely to ensure the destruction of the hardened bunker being described.”