Orbital ATK and IMI Systems Ltd. have announced a teaming agreement in which Orbital ATK will produce and supply a U.S. version of IMI’s 500-lb Multi-Purpose Rigid Bomb (MPR500) and the MPR family of bombs for the United States, the two companies said on May 9, 2018.

IMI's MPR500 Multi-Purpose Rigid Bomb
(Credit: IMI)

With today’s warfighting landscape shifting to an increasingly asymmetric environment, there is a growing demand for high versatility, high reliability and low collateral damage precision weapons with a penetration capability. According to IMI, the MPR500 is similar in form and fit to the MK-82 and offers proven penetration capability and controlled fragmentation for a concentrated blast.

“Our first initiative in this agreement will be exploring how MPR500, a combat proven technology, can be transitioned into an economical and rapidly fielded solution for our U.S. warfighters,” said Pat Nolan, Vice President and General Manager of Missile Products within Orbital ATK’s Defense Systems Group. “We are hopeful that this relationship will lead to future product enhancements and additional opportunities for Orbital ATK and IMI Systems to collaborate.”

IMI’s MPR 500 is a combat-proven 500-pound bomb with improved penetration capabilities and gas the same dimensions as a MK-82.

The bomb can penetrate more than one meter of reinforced concrete or punch through four 200mm thick walls or floors.Because of its 500-pound size, MPR 500 enhances aircraft carriage efficiency, increasing the number of targets that can be engaged per sortie.