Archery's Moab: Hitting The Perfect Shot

In archery, MOAB is an acronym for Mother of All Bombs, which refers to a large bomb used by the US military. The official name of this weapon is the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB). It is a large, powerful, and accurately delivered high-explosive bomb that is the largest conventional bomb since the BLU-82B or Daisy Cutter. MOAB is also the name of a Biblical kingdom and a city in Utah.

Massive Ordnance Air Blast

In the context of archery, MOAB is an acronym for "Massive Ordnance Air Blast". It is a large bomb developed by the U.S. military, officially named the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB). Weighing 21,000 pounds, it is the largest conventional bomb in existence since the BLU-82B or "Daisy Cutter". It is a guided bomb that delivers the 18,700-pound BLU-120/B warhead bomb with a KMU-593/B GPS/INS.

The MOAB is designed to destroy multiple targets on the surface, making it effective for hard-target entrances, soft-to-medium surface targets, and anti-personnel purposes. Its massive blast also makes it useful for LZ clearance and mine and beach obstacle clearance. The weapon is intended to be released from high altitudes, allowing greater stand-off range for the delivery vehicle, i.e., the aircraft.

The MOAB was tested in 2003 but was not put into service until 2017. It has been described as "the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in America's arsenal." The bomb's nickname, "Mother of All Bombs," likely originated during its development, drawing on the hyperbolic construction "mother of all X."

Mother of All Bombs

MOAB, or Mother of All Bombs, is a bomb developed by the U.S. military. It is also referred to as the Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb or GBU-43/B. Weighing 21,000 pounds, it is the largest conventional bomb in existence since the BLU-82B or Daisy Cutter. It is a large, powerful, and accurately delivered high-explosive weapon.

The Mother of All Bombs is a guided bomb that delivers the 18,700-pound BLU-120/B warhead bomb with the KMU-593/B GPS/INS. It is the largest-ever satellite-guided, air-delivered weapon in history. The bomb is 30 feet long with a diameter of 40.5 inches. The warhead is a blast-type warhead. It was developed in only nine weeks to be available for the Iraq campaign but was not used in combat.

The Mother of All Bombs is expected to have a substantial psychological effect on those who witness its use. The bomb is intended to have a high-altitude release, allowing greater stand-off range for the delivery vehicle. The grid fins guide the bomb to its target after being released from the aircraft. The Mother of All Bombs is based on the same principle as the BLU-82 Daisy Cutter but is larger and has a guidance system.

The Mother of All Bombs was described in a 2017 press release as "the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in America's arsenal." Its nickname likely came about while the military was developing the munition.

Moab, Utah

Moab attracts many tourists annually, particularly those visiting the nearby national parks. The town is a popular base for mountain bikers, who ride the extensive network of trails, including the Slickrock Trail. Moab is also a destination for off-roaders, who come for the annual Moab Jeep Safari.

The city is located just south of the Colorado River, at an elevation of 4,025 feet (1,227 m) on the Colorado Plateau. It experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and chilly winters.

The name "Moab" has Biblical origins, referring to an area of land located on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Some historians believe the city in Utah was named as such because the first postmaster, William Andrew Peirce, thought that this part of Utah was also "the far country". However, others believe the name has Paiute origins, derived from the word "moapa", meaning "mosquito".

Moab has a rich history, dating back to the Old Spanish Trail, when the area served as a crossing point for the Colorado River. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city's economy was based on agriculture and mining. Moab became known as the "Uranium Capital of the World" in the 1950s after a rich deposit of uranium ore was discovered nearby.

Today, Moab is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities such as rock climbing, canyoneering, and off-road vehicle rentals. The city also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, hosting events such as the Moab Music Festival, LGBT Pride Festival, and the Folk Festival.

Moab, Jordan

Moab, located in modern-day Jordan, was an ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea. The territory of this mountainous region extended along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea and was bounded by Edom and the land of the Amorites. The Moabites shared close ethnic and linguistic ties with the Israelites, and the two groups frequently clashed.

The earliest reference to Moab is found in the Bible, where it is mentioned in relation to Lot and his incestuous relationship with his daughters. According to the Hebrew Bible, Moab was often in conflict with its Israelite neighbours to the west. This rivalry is reflected in the Book of Judges, which describes how the Israelites, led by the Benjaminite shofet Ehud ben Gera, defeated the Moabites in battle.

The Moabite capital was Dibon, and the kingdom reached its peak in the 9th century BCE under King Mesha, whose victories over Israel are recorded on the Mesha Stele. Moab was later conquered by the Babylonians in 582 BCE, and it lost its distinct identity through assimilation following the Roman conquest of the Levant in 63 BCE.

The etymology of the word "Moab" is uncertain, with various theories proposing different origins. The Bible and other ancient texts provide insights into the complex political and cultural dynamics between Moab and Israel, shedding light on their shared history, language, and theology.

Moab, the Biblical kingdom

Moab was an ancient kingdom located in the highlands of Jordan, east of the Dead Sea. The kingdom was home to the Moabites, a Semitic people descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and his eldest daughter, as recounted in the Book of Genesis. The Moabites shared a common language with the Israelites, and their chief god was Chemosh.

The Moabites are mentioned throughout the Bible, often as enemies of the Israelites. For example, in the Book of Numbers, God condemns the Moabites for their idolatry and sexual immorality. However, the relationship between the two peoples was complex, and at times, they lived peacefully and intermarried. The Book of Ruth, for instance, tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who married into a Jewish family and converted to Judaism. King David was a descendant of Ruth, and Solomon, the wisest man in the world, was of direct Moabite descent.

The Moabites are also mentioned in the Mesha Stele, a Moabite document that describes their victory over an unnamed son of King Omri of Israel. The existence of the Moabites is further attested to by various archaeological finds, including a colossal statue erected by the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, which lists 'Mu'ab' among the nations conquered.

The kingdom of Moab emerged in the 9th century BCE and disappeared a few decades after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BCE.

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