Massive Ordnance Air Blast

The GBU-43, otherwise known as the MOAB or Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, was dropped on the tunnels and caves ISIS occupies in Afghanistan. The MOAB is also known as the Mother of All Bombs. It is a large-yield conventional (non-nuclear) bomb designed to be delivered by a C-130 Hercules. Since its introduction, Russia has tested its "Father of All Bombs" which is claimed to be four times more powerful than the MOAB.

The Russian bomb is said to yield an equivalent to 44 tons of explosives with a blast radius of 300 meters, double that of the American bomb. In addition, the temperature at the epicenter is said to be twice as high as the MOAB.

Testing

The MOAB was first tested on March 11, 2003 and was developed for the United States military by Albert L. Weimorts, Jr. of the Air Force Research Laboratory during the Iraq War, however it was never used in combat. The MOAB was dropped at 7:32 p.m. local time Thursday on a tunnel complex in the Achin district of Nangarhar province where the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State has been operating.

Adam Stump, a Pentagon spokesman said the bomb had been brought to Afghanistan "some time ago" for potential use.

Minimize risk

The strike was designed to minimize the risk to Afghan and U.S. forces in the area. The bomb is intended to have a high altitude release similar to the Daisy Cutter used in Vietnam. The MOAB, however, falls to the ground without the use of a retarding parachute.

ISIS

ISIS is not just a terrorist group, but is an armed military unit holding about 1/3 of Iraq and Syria. They deliberately keep reporters out by beheading those who try to learn of their mission. Those that fight them are made up of housewives, farmers, shopkeepers and volunteers. There isn't enough firepower for them so they share their guns with each other, hoping to keep back the tide of ISIS.

Many have destroyed their towns and cities, saying "ISIS would destroy them anyway."

Territorial shifting

The group's loss of territory is shifting political positions. ISIS no longer has a direct line into Europe though the refugee status still remains critical. ISIS has suffered a series of defeats in Syria and with the MOAB bomb dropped in Afghanistan it is hoped to further undermine the organization.

The Pentagon believes the group is in trouble and advises that it is time to ramp up the U.S. led campaign against the terror group with more airstrikes.