Ship TIE/SA "TIE Bomber" Starbomber

[Star Wars Legacies]

TIE/SA "TIE BOMBER" STARBOMBER

AFFILIATION
Open market.

MANUFACTURER
Sienar Fleet Systems.

CLASS
Light starbomber.

ROLE
Tactical starbomber.

COMPOSITION
Quadanium and transparisteel.

DIMENSIONS
Length - 7.8 meters.CREW
1 pilot.

PASSENGER CAPACITY
6 without ordinance load.

CARGO CAPACITY
15 standard tons without ordinance load.

HANGAR CAPACITY
N/A.

CONSUMABLES
2 standard days.

SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
The TIE/SA has a top speed of 80 MGLT and has average maneuvering characteristics.

ARMAMENT

• 2x medium laser cannon.
• 1x versatile launcher, 8x concussion missile or 4x torpedo in magazine.
• 1x bomb chute, 16x bomb in magazine.

EQUIPMENT

• 1x ejection seat.

DESCRIPTION​

The TIE/SA starbomber, formally known as the TIE Surface Assault Bomber, informally as the TIE Bomber or derisively as the Dupe, is a variation of the TIE family of starfighters originally developed by Sienar Fleet Systems. Once the Galactic Empire's prime tactical bombardment spacecraft, the TIE/SA bomber and the standard TIE/LN fighter represented, aside from the ubiquitous white-armored stormtroopers, the most visible part of the Empire's military might.

The TIE Bomber was developed from earlier TIE-derived attack craft, but differed from its predecessors in that it employed a side-by-side twin pod design, with the cockpit and laser cannons in one side and ordinance in the other. Capable of reaching 80 MGLT top speed, the TIE Bomber was marginally faster than the Rebellion's BTL-A4 Y-Wing, but was not equipped with shields or a hyperdrive. Nevertheless, it had a superior payload capacity, consisting of a bomb chute capable of deploying up to 16 bombs of variable types from an internal magazine, as well as a versatile launcher which could alternately equip either 8 concussion missiles or 4 larger torpedoes. This payload was enough to level most targets a TIE Bomber would be sent against.

Though not equipped with any useful defensive armament, Imperial doctrine dictated that TIE Bombers be accompanied by ample fighter escort to keep off enemy interceptors. In practice, TIE Bombers were often forced to get stuck in with enemy snubfighters, and though they were not designed for it, they could nekfight in a pinch. During the later parts of the Galactic Civil War, TIE Bombers were used to counter the heavily armed and well shielded but sluggish to maneuver A/SF-01 B-Wing, using their payloads of missiles and frontal laser cannons to engage Rebel ships. Though un-shielded, TIE Bombers had more durable hulls than most TIE variants, allowing them to take a few more hits than usual.

TIE Bombers, when not loaded down with ordinance, could also make decent transports. The ordinance pod of the TIE/SA was modular, and could be swapped out for pods that could carry either 6 fully equipped stormtroopers or up to 15 tons of cargo. This of course negated the TIE Bomber's ability to carry out its primary mission, that being the delivery of bombs and missiles, however these configurations proved useful for alternate missions such as small unit insertion and retrieval, or resupply of outposts and ground units in the field. Unusually for a TIE variant, the TIE/SA was equipped with a full life support system, meaning that crew and passengers were not required to wear full environmental suits.

As with most Imperial equipment, the TIE/SA was retired soon after the establishment of the New Republic. The type can still be found in service, in various configurations, across the Galaxy, mainly on former Imperial worlds or with various outlaw groups.

LEGALITY​

Restricted. Civilians are generally not permitted to own starbombers such as the TIE/SA without extensive licensing. Even with this, the type receives heavy scrutiny from most authorities. Recognized military and paramilitary organizations may have an easier time of it.

INTENT​

To create a standard starbomber.