On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Niewiadów Polska Grupa Militarna (NPGM) signed a framework agreement on strategic cooperation with the Air Force Institute of Technology (ITWL). The cooperation is aimed at developing technologies for the manufacture and assembly of 250 kg-class NATO-standard aerial bomb bodies, equivalent to the Mark 82 general-purpose high-explosive fragmentation bomb, as well as preparing the testing, certification, and technical documentation process.
Installation of a fuze on a Mk 82 general-purpose bomb / Illustrative photo: Airman 1st Class Michelle Ferrari, USAF
The intended outcome of the cooperation is the development of technological documentation, the definition of production requirements, and the preparation of documents necessary to begin the certification process for the 250 kg bomb. This represents another step in developing the Niewiadów Group’s capabilities in the field of munitions and strengthening Poland’s domestic industrial potential for the defense sector. Detailed terms of cooperation will be defined in separate implementation agreements.
The agreement establishes the principles of cooperation between the parties in the following areas:
- development of technologies for the manufacture and assembly of NATO-standard 250 kg-class bomb bodies, equivalent to the Mk 82 high-explosive fragmentation bomb;
- conducting ground and flight tests of the 250 kg bomb;
- preparation of technical documentation, test stands, and documents required to begin the Type III OiB product certification process.
The parties assume that the ultimate outcome of the cooperation will be the development of technological and process documentation, production requirements, and documents necessary to begin certification of the 250 kg bomb. The agreement is a framework agreement. Detailed terms of cooperation between the parties will be defined in separate implementation agreements. The agreement does not entail any financial obligations for either party. Each party will bear its own costs associated with implementing the agreement. The agreement was concluded for an indefinite period.
As for the original Mk 82 general-purpose bombs, in Poland they are loaded by Zakłady Chemiczne Nitro-Chem in Bydgoszcz, part of the Polish Armaments Group, under a license from Italy’s RWM Italia, part of Germany’s Rheinmetall AG, pursuant to an agreement signed on November 29, 2017.
The Mark 82 was designed by General Dynamics in the 1950s as a free-fall general-purpose high-explosive fragmentation bomb. It is 2.22 m long, 273 mm in diameter, and has a nominal weight of 227 kg. Its explosive filling consists of 87 kg of Tritonal, comprising 80% TNT and 20% aluminum powder, or alternatively Minol or H-6. The bomb is intended for engaging stationary targets on land and at sea.
Niewiadów Polska Grupa Militarna S.A. zawarła z Instytutem Technicznym Wojsk Lotniczych umowę ramową o współpracy strategicznej.
Celem współpracy jest opracowanie technologii wytwarzania i montażu korpusów bomby lotniczej MK-82 o wagomiarze 250 kg w standardzie NATO, a także…
— Niewiadów Polska Grupa Militarna (@grupaniewiadow) August 12, 2026