The US will not sell Israel the large GBU-28 bunker-buster bombs, which could be used in an attack on Iran but it will sell Israel a smaller number of much smaller GBU-39 bombs. The $77 million shipment, which includes launchers and supporting equipment, will allow the IAF to hit many more bunkers than currently possible. Although each bomb weighs 113 kilograms, its penetration capabilities equal those of a one ton bomb, and each plane can carry four times as many bombgs.
The GBU-39 has successfully penetrated more than 1.8 meters reinforced concrete with a 23-kilogram warhead. The GPS-guided weapon is said to have a 50-percent probability of hitting its intended target within 5-8 meters, which should minimize collateral damage.
The Pentagon's announcement also said that the U.S. would help upgrade the Israel Defense Forces' patriot anti-aircraft missiles - which Israel uses as part of its missile-interception array. Israel will also receive 28,000 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon) tube launchers for land forces. These were in short supply in the Lebanon war.
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