Hard and Deeply Buried Target Defeat System (HDBTDS) Program

The Hard and Deeply Buried Target Defeat System (HDBTDS) Program is a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative managed by the Air Force under Budget Activity 4: Advanced Component Development & Prototypes. Its primary goal is to develop and modify advanced precision-guided penetrator munitions capable of defeating hard and deeply buried targets (HDBTs), such as bunkers and tunnel facilities. The program aims to provide the Air Force with improved air-to-surface conventional munitions, integrating advanced position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities and smart fuze systems to enhance accuracy and lethality.

The Direct Strike Penetrator Systems line item is the main project within HDBTDS, focusing on the development, integration, and testing of a family of penetrator weapons. This includes the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), the GBU-72 Advanced 5,000-lb Penetrator Weapon System (A5K), and Section 804 Rapid Prototype/Rapid Fielding activities. The program leverages modeling and simulation to assess current inventory and guide the design of new penetrator munitions. The objective is to reduce the number of weapons required to hold HDBTs at risk and increase the number of targets engaged per mission.

The Next Generation Penetrator (NGP) project is a significant component of the program, with resources allocated for the development and demonstration of an advanced large penetrator concept. The NGP aims to augment Combatant Command capabilities against HDBTs by utilizing subscale, sled, and phenomenology testing, alongside modeling and simulation, to design components that meet required lethality, accuracy, survivability, and penetration performance parameters. The project culminates in full-scale testing and the delivery of prototype technical data packages for both warhead and guidance systems.

The Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) Modification (Mod) effort focuses on enhancing the performance of the existing MOP weapon system through smart fuze functionality improvements. This includes constructing relevant HDBTs for testing, executing sub-scale and full-scale ground and flight tests, and analyzing weapon effectiveness. The modifications are intended to hold additional HDBTs at risk across multiple Combatant Commands, with increased activity in FY 2026 to support the construction of new test targets such as the MS-34 Target.

The GBU-72 Advanced 5,000-lb (A5K) Penetrator project addresses capability gaps identified in the Hard Target Munitions Analysis-of-Alternatives (AoA). The A5K effort involves design, development, integration, modeling, simulation, and testing to improve performance against increasingly hardened targets. The system integrates an improved penetrator warhead, a smart fuze system capable of detecting layers and voids, and a modified Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kit for all-weather, precision guidance, navigation, and control.

The program utilizes a modular open systems approach, allowing for incremental upgrades and integration of new technologies throughout the lifecycle of the weapon systems. Collaboration with other weapon systems is emphasized to reduce redundant costs and leverage common component development. The acquisition strategy involves contracts managed by government partners such as the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and White Sands Missile Range for target construction and test support, as well as sole source contracts for flight test support and software improvements.

The HDBTDS program is designed to rapidly insert emerging technologies into existing and developing munitions, ensuring the Air Force maintains a critical global strike capability against the most protected high-value enemy assets. Investments are also made in analytical, information management, digital environments, networks, facilities, and security infrastructure to support the development and sustainment of these capabilities. Civilian pay expenses are included to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability, with funding adjustments made to optimize the workforce and comply with government efficiency initiatives.