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- "Proton bombs in the chute."
- ―NB-1S Royal Bomber pilot
The proton bomb, space bomb, or heavy space bomb, was a large energy explosive device used in space combat and orbital bombardment. They were most effective against fixed or slow moving targets such as fortifications, space stations, and capital ships. These energy weapons often emitted the signature blue "glow" of proton torpedoes. Handheld explosives were termed proton grenades.
Description[]
The proton bomb was at least twice as powerful as the heavy rocket, though its self-propulsion was very weak and relied upon the inertia of the fighter deploying it. As it took a long time to travel to its destination, many pilots chose to release them close to their target, though this tactic carried the risk of being exposed to enemy fire. The proton torpedo and concussion missile were significantly less powerful compared to the rocket and bomb.[source?]
Proton bombs were capable of being upgraded to the advanced proton bomb. Similarly, there were also a variation of the proton bombs that acted as spread projectiles known as spread proton bombs.[1] In addition, there were also further upgraded versions of the spread model.
History[]
TIE bombers dropping modified proton bombs developed by Moff Lasre Dardano
In 3951 BBY, Canderous Ordo, the first Mandalore following the Mandalorian Wars, destroyed the Ravager with four proton core bombs after battling Darth Nihilus beside the Jedi Exile.[6]
Millennia later, NB-1S Royal Bombers used by the Royal Naboo Security Forces carried proton bombs. At the same time, Trade Federation droid bombers also carried the weapons for use in the Invasion of Naboo.[2]
During the Battle of Geonosis in 22 BBY, Galactic Republic[7] frigates launched space bombs on droid surface emplacements and large orbital space stations.[source?] Later during the Clone Wars, Republic and Separatist starfighters—V-wing starfighters and Belbullab-24 strike bombers, respectively—carried proton bombs[3]
During the time of the Galactic Civil War, Rebel Alliance BTL Y-wing starfighters could be armed with 20 proton bombs, and Imperial TIE/sa bombers also carried bombs. TIE bombers conducted numerous strikes against Rebel and civilian targets, while Y-wings were used in an assault on the Kile II spaceport and in a raid against a capacitor on Sullust.[1]
Rebel forces also used Y-wings with bombs during the Mission to the Maw and the Battle of Kothlis,[8] as well as the Battle of Dubrillion.[9]
Many Imperial Navy starfighters with general purpose warhead launchers, such as the TIE/sa bomber, could carry proton bombs. Pilot Maarek Stele led a squadron of bomb-armed TIE Avengers to neutralize the EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate Akaga, the latter which was sent on a mission by Admiral Harkov's forces to destroy the Interdictor Harpax.[10]
Imperial TIE/sa bombers conducted a strike using proton bombs against the Halanit colony's dome.[11] Proton bombs were still carried by TIE bombers used by the Imperial Remnant as late as 14 ABY. The Jedi Jaden Korr and Jedi Master Kyle Katarn encountered two bombers on a mission to Vjun.[4]
Borsk Fey'lya used a proton bomb kept in his office to destroy the Imperial Palace, taking the lives of twenty-five thousand Yuuzhan Vong warriors—and his own.[12]
Behind the scenes[]
Proton bombs were first depicted in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.
In the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron video game series, players may upgrade proton bombs if they picked up the technology in certain missions.
In Star Wars: Battlefront II, the V-wing starfighters were equipped with proton bombs, although other sources such as Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections do not give them a secondary weapon.
Appearances[]
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for Naboo
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Star Wars: Battlefront II
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
- ↑ Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
- ↑ Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
- ↑ The New Essential Chronology
- ↑ Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
- ↑ Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
- ↑ Star Wars: TIE Fighter
- ↑ X-Wing: The Bacta War
- ↑ The New Jedi Order: Star by Star