The IAF vs Iran's Nuke Complex

 

Some of the good folks at MIT have just figured how many bombs it would take for the Israeli Air Force to blow up Iran's entire nuclear weapons infrastructure. Apparently, it isn't so hard after all.

 

For those keeping score at home, here's what the Israelis would need:

 

(24) 5,000-pound BLU-113 penetrator warheads to collapse the underground centrifuge halls at Natanz

 

(2) 2,000-pound bombs to destroy the above ground pilot production plant at Natanz

 

(12) 2,000-pound BLU-109 penetrator warheads to blow up the underground uranium conversion facility at Esfahan

 

(10) 2,000-pound GBU-10 laser guided bombs to hit the heavy water production plant and reactor site at Arak

 

But, according to the MIT report, there is one major catch: the air strike on Natanz could fail if Iran's air defenses succeed in downing only two of the IAF's strike package of 24 F-15Is if each is loaded with a single BLU-113.

 

MIT concludes, however:

 

"The foregoing assessment is far from definitive in its evaluation of Israeli military potential. However it does seem to indicate that the IAF, after years of modernization, now possesses the capability to destroy even well-hardened targets in Iran with some degree of confidence. The operation appears to be no more risky than the earlier attack on Osirak and provides at least as much benefit in terms of delaying Iranian development of nuclear weapons."

 

(You can read the entire study here)

 

-- Stephen Trimble

Interesting summary Herman. Wonder how it would translate into USAF/USN terms. Should be a good read one of these days.

Looks like Israel is getting the General Purpose side of the equation filled.

 

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of Israel's request for 3,500 Mk-84 general purpose bombs units, which are 2,000 pound bomb bodies. The Mk84 versions Israel is requesting would carry about 945 pounds of tritonal (about 80% TNT/ 20% aluminum) explosives, as opposed to using H-6. Mk80 family weapons can be fitted with a number of kits to give them laser guidance, GPS/INS guidance, extended range, and/or other capabilities as required; the Israelis have created kits of their own for such purposes, including the Spice GPS/laser guided weapon The total value of this contract, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $65 million.

The deal would also entail testing, support equipment, spares and repair parts, supply support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics support. The prime contractor will be General Dynamics in Garland, TX; Israel has used Mk 84s for a long time, and there are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale

 

I wonder for what purpose Israel needs these bombs:cool:

[source:Defense Industry Daily]

For those keeping score at home, here's what the Israelis would need:

 

(24) 5,000-pound BLU-113 penetrator warheads to collapse the underground centrifuge halls at Natanz

(2) 2,000-pound bombs to destroy the above ground pilot production plant at Natanz

(12) 2,000-pound BLU-109 penetrator warheads to blow up the underground uranium conversion facility at Esfahan

(10) 2,000-pound GBU-10 laser guided bombs to hit the heavy water production plant and reactor site at Arak

 

But, according to the MIT report, there is one major catch: the air strike on Natanz could fail if Iran's air defenses succeed in downing only two of the IAF's strike package of 24 F-15Is if each is loaded with a single BLU-113.

 

Not much redundancy built in there. Only a pair of 2,000 lb Mk 84's for the above ground targets at Natanz ? Either its not terribly important or there's something skewed in that assessment.