美國空軍打造新一代「地堡剋星」　專打深層掩體　台灣安全戰略添新籌碼

美國空軍近日授予 Applied Research Associates（ARA）一份為期兩年的合同，研製新一代穿透炸彈 Next Generation Penetrator（NGP），取代現役的 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator（MOP）。此次專案由 ARA 負責主導設計與原型製造，波音（Boeing）則擔任尾翼套件設計與整合的主要合作夥伴。

美國空軍生命週期管理中心（AFLCMC）指出，新型 NGP 炸彈重量上限為22,000磅，比現役 MOP 減輕近三分之一，代表未來可被更多機型攜帶，包括 B-2、B-21隱形轟炸機與部分戰術平台。這項突破意味著，美軍可在台海與印太地區更靈活部署高效能穿透武器，在危機情境下快速打擊中國東南沿海的深層目標。

強化GPS拒止環境打擊能力

NGP 將整合高精度導航系統，即使在中國可能採取電子戰干擾或GPS拒止的情況下，仍能精準鎖定深層軍事目標。根據專案計畫，ARA 將於 18至24個月內完成約10枚次尺度原型與 3至5枚全尺寸原型，並進行實彈測試。

今年6月，美軍曾使用現役 MOP 轟擊伊朗福爾多（Fordo）核濃縮設施，展現對深層掩體的打擊能力。這起行動也凸顯了美國發展更高效能穿透武器的迫切性。

雖然官方未公布合同金額，但美國國防預算文件顯示，2025財年投入約1.2億美元，2026財年則規劃 7,370萬美元，支持NGP研製。

三大觀察重點

（1）強化美軍第一島鏈威懾力，提升台灣安全

NGP 的輕量化設計讓美軍能在沖繩、關島、菲律賓等基地靈活部署，若台海局勢升溫，美軍將可快速投送穿透性武器支援台灣。
這將對中國在福建、浙江等沿岸的地下導彈庫、指揮中心形成更大威脅，間接提升台灣戰略安全。

（2）突破中國東南沿海地下防禦體系

根據美國國防部2024年報告，中國在福建、浙江一帶至少建有 30座以上深層地堡，專門保護東風-17高超音速導彈及海空軍指揮中心。
NGP 設計可穿透 80公尺以上強化混凝土，對中國的「第一波打擊核心」構成直接威脅，有助於削弱中國封鎖台灣的能力。

（3）台灣需加快整合美軍戰略資源

國防部可與美軍深化合作，包括：
- 情報共享：鎖定中國深層設施
- 聯合演訓：將 NGP 納入台美軍事演練情境
- 地下防護強化：同步強化台灣自身戰略設施的生存力
此外，台灣航太產業（如漢翔、國研院）可爭取參與抗干擾導航技術與高強度炸藥測試的合作，增加國防自主性。

US Air Force Develops Next-Gen “Bunker Buster” to Target Deep Underground Facilities, Strengthening Taiwan’s Strategic Security

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Applied Research Associates (ARA) a two-year contract to develop the Next Generation Penetrator (NGP), a lighter and more advanced successor to the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). Boeing will support the project by designing the tail kit and integrating the full weapon system.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) stated that the NGP’s 22,000-pound weight cap makes it significantly lighter than the MOP, allowing deployment from a wider range of platforms, including B-2 and B-21 stealth bombers. This advancement enhances U.S. strike flexibility and could play a crucial role in Taiwan’s security posture.

NGP will deliver blast, fragmentation, and deep-penetration effects, incorporating advanced navigation systems capable of operating in GPS-denied environments. ARA plans to deliver 10 sub-scale prototypes and 3–5 full-scale prototypes within 18–24 months for live testing.

The U.S. Air Force’s June 2025 strike against Iran’s Fordo nuclear enrichment facility demonstrated the effectiveness of deep-penetration weapons, accelerating the push for a next-generation capability like the NGP.

Although the contract value was not disclosed, U.S. budget documents indicate $120.8 million allocated for FY2025 and $73.7 million for FY2026.

Three Key Insights

(1) Enhancing US Deterrence in the First Island Chain

The NGP’s lighter design enables deployment from Okinawa, Guam, and the Philippines, improving U.S. rapid-response capabilities.
In a Taiwan contingency, the U.S. can quickly project strike power to support Taiwan’s defense.

(2) Penetrating China’s Southeastern Underground Defense Network

The NGP is designed to neutralize China’s 30+ underground missile depots and command centers along the southeastern coast.
With penetration capability exceeding 80 meters of reinforced concrete, the NGP directly threatens China’s hardened facilities, weakening its first-strike advantage.

(3) Accelerating Taiwan’s Integration with US Strategic Assets

Taiwan should deepen cooperation with the U.S. in intelligence-sharing, joint military exercises, and underground facility hardening.
Local aerospace firms can seek collaboration opportunities on GPS-jamming resilience and advanced warhead testing to enhance Taiwan’s defense autonomy.