Gbu 43 B Massive Ordnance Air Blast
In short
The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, commonly known as the MOAB, is a large-yield conventional bomb used by the United States military. It was designed to be the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the American arsenal at the time of its development.
In plain words
This is a very large bomb that uses a massive explosion to destroy targets. It is dropped from special transport aircraft rather than fighter jets. It relies on a huge blast wave to crush structures and cave in tunnels.
A simple example
A military aircraft drops the bomb over a hidden underground bunker. The resulting air blast travels through the entrance to collapse the tunnels inside.
Why it matters
It provides a way to destroy large surface targets or underground networks without using nuclear weapons. This allows for massive destruction while avoiding the radioactive fallout of a nuclear strike.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with the GBU-57 MOP, which is even larger and specifically designed to penetrate much deeper into the earth.