During the rise of the Empire, the Imperial Navy ralied on Imperial captial ships for space and orbital bombardment, and began using TIE/in Fighters for the related tasks of bombing missions, including serving as ground support for long-range attacks, despite the fact that Sienar Fleet Systems had primarily designed and engineered the TIE Fighter for short-range space combat. Although Imperial Star Destroyers could inflict massive damage and reduce targets to rubble, such destruction was undesirable and impractical when Imperials wanted to seize enemy bases and protect nearby resources. Navy officials eventually determined that a starfighter bomber would deliver warheads to space and planetary targets with greater accuracy and minimal wasted resources, and the Navy commissioned Sienar to design a prototype.
The Navy soon came to depend on TIE Bombers for surgical strikes. They could conduct high-altitude or orbital bombing against ground targets, swoop down for low-level attacks, and operate alone, in pairs, or in squadrons.
Specifications
Solar-Collector wings: The solar panels on the bomber's wings provided a greater energy-collecting surface area than a standard TIE Fighter, and were necessary for the bomber's power requirements.
Central pods: Structurally reinforced to survive the back-blast from bombardments during atmospheric strikes, the TIE Bomber featured a pair of cylindrical pods positioned side-by-side between the two "bent" wings.
Starboard pod: The starboard pod held a cockpit for a single pilot, and carried flight computers, power regulators, and communications gear. Because the Navy deployed bombers for longer missions than standard starfighters, the bomber had life-support systems that allowed the pilot to work without the constraints of a pressure suit, and carried a two-day supply of air and rations.
Port pod: The port-side pod contained two bomb bays that carried a variety of ordnance, including concussion missiles, orbital mines, and proton bombs. The port pod also housed a Nordoxicon-manufactured bomb sight, targeting sensors, beam altimeter, and several energy fuel cells.
Laser cannons: The bomber's weapons included two fire-linked laser cannons positioned below the cockpit on the starboard pod.
Targeting computer:Sienar developed the T-s7b targeting computer specifically for the TIE Bomber, and modified the computer for linkage to the ship's bomb sight.
