Air Force looking into new bunker-buster bomb tailkit

The Air Force is looking to develop a new bunker buster bomb tailkit, according to a recent request for information.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center is conducting market research to assess technologies for a Large Caliber Penetrator requirement, the notice states. The focus of the information request is to identify potential vendors to mature tailkit designs, development and flight testing.

AFLCMC is requesting white papers that address tailkit guidance, navigation and control; integration; test; and cost and schedule. Respondents can include information for all categories or focus on the tailkit or test parts of the development process.

Responses are due by Dec. 15.

The service in September awarded Applied Research Associates a contract to design and build a prototype for the Next Generation Penetrator bomb.

The service most recently used a bunker buster -- the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator -- in the strikes against Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities in June.

The service is asking for $70.4 million in fiscal year 2026 to modify the MOP's smart fuse and other research, development, test and evaluation efforts for the bomb.