The NEB is engineered to deliver enhanced penetration performance against hardened, semi-buried, and reinforced concrete structures. Unlike standard general-purpose bombs that rely primarily on blast and fragmentation, NEB is optimized for deep structural penetration followed by internal detonation, causing catastrophic structural collapse.

Operational Role and Mission Profile

NEB is intended for use in precision strike missions targeting:

• Reinforced bunkers
• Underground ammunition depots
• Hardened command and control centers
• Aircraft shelters and hangars
• Fixed missile batteries
• Critical industrial infrastructure

Its primary function is to penetrate reinforced concrete before detonation, maximizing internal damage rather than surface-level blast effects.

Doctrine and Concept of Employment

Modern air warfare distinguishes between:

• Surface blast neutralization
• Penetration followed by delayed internal detonation

NEB is specifically designed for the second doctrine. It is optimized to maintain high penetration effectiveness even at relatively low impact velocities and shallow impact angles. This feature enhances tactical flexibility, particularly during low-altitude strike profiles.

Programmable fuzing allows mission-specific configuration:

• Instantaneous detonation
• Short-delay detonation
• Deep-delay detonation after penetration

This flexibility makes NEB suitable for various hardened target sets.

Warhead Architecture

NEB incorporates a Sequential Penetrator Warhead design, consisting of:

• A precursor penetrator charge to weaken the surface layer
• A main penetrator body for structural entry
• A delayed detonation mechanism for internal destruction

Publicly available data indicates penetration capability of at least:

• 2.1 meters of 35 MPa reinforced concrete

Performance against higher-strength concrete remains undisclosed.

Platform and Guidance Integration

NEB follows the MK-84 (2000 lb) bomb geometry, ensuring compatibility with existing guidance kits, including:

• HGK (INS/GPS Guidance Kit)
• GBU-10E/B Laser Guidance Kit

Certified platforms (publicly disclosed):

• F-4E/2020
• F-16 (integration efforts ongoing)

It is designed to be deployable from aircraft certified for MK-84 class munitions.

Advantages Against Modern Threats

• Enhanced penetration against hardened targets
• Compatibility with precision guidance kits
• Programmable fuzing flexibility
• Integration within NATO-standard 2000 lb logistics framework

Limitations

• Not equivalent to ultra-heavy bunker buster munitions designed for deeply buried complexes
• Unguided accuracy dependent on release parameters
• Full technical data on fuze electronics and explosive composition not publicly available

Detailed Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

• Length: 2600 mm
• Diameter: 457.2 mm
• Total Weight: 870 kg
• Class: 2000 lb

Warhead and Fuze

• Precursor penetrator: ONUR-1 MOD 4
• Main fuze system: FMU-152 A/B
• 3-inch hard-target fuzes
• Sequential penetrator configuration

Exact explosive composition is not publicly disclosed.

Penetration Performance

• Minimum 2.1 m penetration in 35 MPa reinforced concrete
• Effective at lower impact velocities and shallow angles

Guidance and Accuracy

NEB itself is unguided but becomes precision-guided when integrated with:

• HGK (INS/GPS-based)
• GBU-10E/B (Laser-guided)

Circular Error Probable (CEP) depends on the selected guidance kit and release parameters.

Aircraft Compatibility

• F-4E/2020
• F-16 (integration phase)
• Other MK-84-certified aircraft (not fully disclosed publicly)

Logistics and Deployment

Compatible with NATO-standard 2000 lb munition handling, storage, and suspension systems. Specific storage classification details are not publicly available.

What is NEB used for?

• NEB is designed to penetrate reinforced concrete and hardened structures before detonating internally. Its primary purpose is neutralizing bunkers, underground depots, and fortified command centers.

How deep can NEB penetrate?

• Open-source information indicates a minimum penetration capability of 2.1 meters in 35 MPa reinforced concrete.

Is NEB guided?

• The base bomb is unguided. However, it becomes precision-guided when integrated with HGK (INS/GPS) or GBU-10E/B laser guidance kits.

What aircraft can carry NEB?

• It is certified on F-4E/2020 aircraft and undergoing integration on F-16 platforms. It is compatible with aircraft certified for MK-84 class bombs.

What makes NEB different from MK-84?

• While geometrically compatible with MK-84, NEB incorporates an enhanced sequential penetrator warhead optimized for hardened targets.

Is NEB NATO compatible?

• NATO UAI compatibility efforts have been reported as ongoing.

What types of targets can it defeat?

• Hardened bunkers, reinforced hangars, missile sites, underground storage facilities, and critical infrastructure installations.

Sources

• Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş. official product publications
• Publicly available defense industry announcements
• Open-source technical brochures and defense exhibition disclosures