Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb

The Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb (MOAB), also known as the "Mother Of All Bombs", is a large-yield conventional air-to-surface bomb developed by the United States military, touted as the most powerful non-nuclear weapon ever designed.

The MOAB is an Air Force Research Laboratory technology project that began in fiscal year 2002. It underwent a successful field test at Eglin Air Force Base[?], Florida on March 11, 2003. The U.S. Air Force Research Lab has said a larger version of the MOAB, weighing thirteen tons, is under development.

At 26 meters long and 21,500 pounds, it can only be dropped from the cargo door of a large aircraft. It is guided by global positioning technology.

Possible uses

The basic design is similar to that of the BLU-82 Daisy cutter, which was used in the Vietnam War and in Afghanistan, mostly for clearing of rocky or heavily wooded areas. Pentagon officials have, however, suggested its intention to use MOAB as an anti-personnel weapon, as part of the "Shock and awe" strategy integral to the proposed action in Iraq (see 2003 invasion of Iraq).

However, the utility of the bomb as an anti-personnel weapon is limited and the publicity associated with it may be part of a psyop[?]. The utility of the bomb in actual anti-personnel military operations is limited by two considerations. First, per pound, it is far less effective an anti-personnel weapon than cluster bombs. Second, the bomb is likely to cause large amounts of collateral damage when used in areas with civilians.

The city of Moab, Utah, a tourist destination, has asked the United States Government to change the name.