IMI announces new MPR bombs

[Zarvan]

An MPR-500 demonstrates its penetration capability in a still taken from an IMI video. Source: IMI
Israel Military Industries (IMI) has developed two new versions of its MPR series of air-to-ground bombs and is working on a third, company sources have told IHS Jane's .

The MPR-500 bomb is already in service with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and was used during Operation 'Protective Edge' against militants in the Gaza Strip in 2014.

IMI has now developed the heavier MPR-1000 and MPR-2000 munitions, while work on the lighter MPR-250 is at an advanced research and development stage, according to the sources.

The MPR family has the same form and weight as the standard MK 80 series of general-purpose bombs, so are compatible with a wide range of aircraft and guidance kits.

However, the Israeli bombs have a smaller lethal radius than the original MK 80 series, as well as increased penetration capabilities.

IMI says the MPR-500 has a maximum fragmentation risk range of 60-100 m and can penetrate more than 100 cm of reinforced concrete at an 80° angle.

Performance testing of the heavier versions has not been completed as yet, but an IMI source said the MPR-1000 can penetrate "significantly more than 1.5 m of concrete" while the MPR-2000 has "displayed capabilities that are significantly beyond those originally planned".

The source said precise figures will be released after all the testing is completed.

The MPR-500 enables the IAF "to strike as close as possible to our [ground] forces [and] go through four ceilings in a straight line" before a delayed fuse is activated, if the pilot chooses to use this option, one source said. "In addition to operational flexibility, they decrease risk to non-combatants: a goal the air force has told us is paramount."

"We built these bombs out of strong composite material instead of steel. We strengthened the fuse box significantly. They travel at 350 m/s [when dropped from high altitude], and they can dig before destroying a target completely," the source added.

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IMI announces new MPR bombs | IHS Jane's 360