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- "All TIE bombers, commence bombardment. Set the skies on fire if you have to, but find those ships."
"Aye-aye, captain. I love my job." - ―An Imperial captain and a TIE pilot
The TIE/sa tactical bomber, also known as the TIE Surface Assault Bomber, TIE/sa bomber or simply the TIE bomber, was a bombing variant of the TIE series used by the Galactic Empire. An evolution of the TIE/gt, the TIE bomber was their main source of anti-emplacement air-support. They were nicknamed "dupes" by the New Republic pilot Wyl Lark and known as First Order bombers during their service in the First Order Navy.
Characteristics[]
- "Two distinctive, elongated spaceframe pods— one houses the pilot, the other the payload. In addition to whatever detonite it's dropping, the TIE bomber has homing missiles and a pair of laser cannons."
- ―Antoc Merrick
The TIE/sa bomber was specifically designed by Sienar Fleet Systems for use in the military of the Galactic Empire. A model of light bomber, it was part of the TIE series of starfighters,[2] distinguished by their twin ion engines and solar collector panels.[1] The bomber measured 7.9 meters long, 10.6 meters wide, and 5.4 meters high.[2] In keeping with the Empire's preference for muted colors,[18] it was painted a bluish gray.[2]
TIE bombers carry out a bombing run on Bestine IV.
Like the TIE Advanced x1 prototype, the TIE/sa bomber had inclined wings, which maximized its speed and maneuverability while carrying mass of heavy ordnance. Unlike the other models in the TIE line, the bomber had not one but two central pods: a starboard cockpit for the pilot and a portside ordnance bay for the munitions. The cockpit featured two forward-mounted laser cannons, the standard transparisteel viewport, and an ejector seat in case a pilot on a distant bombing run needed to abandon ship.[2]
The ordnance bay was divided into two sections. The forward ordnance bay carried either eight concussion missiles or four proton torpedoes. The main ordnance bay carried either four proton torpedoes and eight concussion missiles, or eight proton bombs and sixty-four thermal detonators, or six space mines, or even stormtroopers. Located underneath the ordnance pod was a bomb chute connected to the ship's targeting systems, a T-s7b targeting computer and a 398X bomb sight. The pod also featured a missile port that allowed for front-launching and torpedoes.[2] The ordnance bay could also be swapped for a passenger cabin with room for six.[8]
They were described by Paige Tico as gray and bat-winged.[15] For pilot survival, the bomber was equipped with a cockpit ejector seat. Pilots also had life support, but still wore flight suits in case of emergency.[19]
Role[]
Evolving from the TIE/gt,[20] TIE bombers were a main source of anti-emplacement, anti-trap air support for the Empire.[21] They often served in the first line of attack, and Star Destroyer captains liked to send them out to carpet bomb and weaken large targets like capital ships in space or buildings on the ground.[2]
History[]
Imperial frontlines[]
- "That tub? Are you kiding?"
"Hey, it can take a hit. Now, can you fly it or not?"
"I can fly anything." - ―Wedge Antillies and Sabine Wren, while stealing a TIE Bomber
A TIE bomber flies through space
A decade after the rise of the Empire, one was deployed by the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Ultimatum in order to attack the mobile refinery Forager used by the corrupt Count Denetrius Vidian.[22]
Three years before the Battle of Yavin,[23] TIE/sa bombers were being launched from a Quasar Fire-class cruiser-carrier above Ryloth to attack Cham Syndulla's rebel cell. Collaborating with the Lothal rebel cell, Syndulla's rebels managed to steal a single TIE Bomber, which they used as a boarding shuttle, stagging a false attack with two RZ-1 A-wing interceptors from Phoenix Squadron to land their TIE Bomber in one of the carrier's hanger bays, from which the Specters and three members of Syndulla's cell including Cham himself stormed the vessel, seizing control of the Quasar and later defending it from a counterattack by a squad of TIE Bombers, all of which were destroyed by the rebels before retreating from Ryloth with the captured Quasar.[8]
In 2 BBY,[24] an operative of Phoenix Squadron, Sabine Wren infiltrated the Skystrike Academy on Montross to aid two Imperial pilots in defecting to the growing rebellion, stealing a TIE/sa bomber from Skystrike to transport herself and defecting pilots Wedge Antilles and Derek Klivian to a CR90 corvette commanded by Phoenix Squadron, and retreat to rebel controlled Atollon.[11]
At least one was present aboard the Death Star during the Battle of Yavin.[25] During the Battle for Tatooine, operatives of the Alliance to Restore the Republic from a local rebel cell managed to steal TIE/sa bombers from the Empire and used them in their fight to liberate Tatooine from the local Imperial garrison and the 68th Legion, the later of which also used TIE/sa bombers to combat the rebel cell.[10] After the Battle of Hoth, several TIE/sa bombers were deployed by Death Squadron to flush the Millennium Falcon out from the asteroid field it was hidden in.[9]
TIE bombers scoured the surface of Mandalore, resulting in swathes of the Mandalorian population killed
A contingent of TIE/sa bombers, consisting of a multitude of squadrons, assisted in carrying out the Great Purge, during which, they annihilated the surface of Mandalore[26] and destroyed multiple cities[27] during the Night of a Thousand Tears.[26]
Six TIE bombers were deployed to put down an insurrection on Bestine IV by bombing a village where the insurgents made camp.[28]
Collapse of the Empire[]
The bombers also participated in actions related to Operation: Cinder, 17 days after the Battle of Endor, serving at the Battle of Cawa City, on Sterdic IV in 4 ABY.[29] Gideon's Imperial remnant continued to use bombers up until his defeat.[13]
Legacy[]
Over two decades after the establishment of the New Republic and the time of the Cold War, the First Order made use of the TIE/sa as the First Order bomber.[15] The First Order also came to use the TIE/se Bomber,[30] many of which would go on to participate in the First Order-Resistance conflict.[31][30]
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Ultimate Star Wars
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 Star Wars: TIE Fighter Deluxe Book and Model Set
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 TIE Fighter Owners' Workshop Manual
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5
Star Wars: Build the Millennium Falcon 51 Starship Fact File: TIE/sa Bomber
- ↑ Star Wars: Ships of the Galaxy
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Starships and Speeders
- ↑
The Mandalorian — "Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6
Star Wars Rebels — "Homecoming"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Star Wars: Commander
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2
Star Wars Rebels — "The Antilles Extraction"
- ↑ Star Wars: Uprising
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 The Mandalorian — "Chapter 23: The Spies"
- ↑ Poe Dameron 10
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 The Last Jedi: Bomber Command
- ↑ Star Wars (2015) 8
- ↑ Star Wars: The Rebel Files
- ↑ Star Wars Rebels: A New Hero
- ↑ Star Wars Complete Vehicles, New Edition
- ↑ Star Wars: Complete Vehicles
- ↑ Star Wars: Commander
- ↑ A New Dawn
- ↑ Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know, Updated and Expanded states that Leia Organa was 16 years old during her mission on Lothal. Since Star Wars: Galactic Atlas establishes that Organa was born in 19 BBY, Phoenix Squadron's mission to Ryloth must take place in 3 BBY. Dawn of Rebellion dates the attack on Phoenix Squadron to three years before the Battle of Yavin, or 3 BBY according to Star Wars: Galactic Atlas dating system. As this mission takes place between these two events, it must also take place in 3 BBY.
- ↑ Star Wars: Timelines
- ↑ The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 The Book of Boba Fett — "Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian"
- ↑ "A Certain Point of View" — Star Wars Insider 219
- ↑ Bounty Hunters 31
- ↑ Shattered Empire 2
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Allegiance 1
- ↑ Star Wars Resistance — "No Place Safe"
