The Rebel Faction

TNO TIE ISF Bomber

Name/Model#: TIE/sb Storm Bomber
Designer/Manufacturer: Sienar Fleet Systems
Combat Designation: Medium Range Second-wave Bomber

Crew: 1 pilot, 2 droid brains
Propulsion System: SFS P-s5.6 Twin Ion Engines (175 KTU)
Speed Rating: 100 MGLT
Maneuverability Rating: 100 DPF
Weapons: Four SFS L-s9.3 Laser Cannons for defense (two in turrets and two forward firing), two twin SFS L-r9.8x Repeating Laser Cannons in wings, four multi-purpose warhead launchers
Hyperdrive: 1.5x
Shields/Armor: Forward/Rear projecting Novaldex Shields (90SBD); Titanium hull

Special Designs:
SFS L-r9.8x Repeating Laser Cannon: The L-r9.8x is an experimental cannon developed by Sienar for use mainly in turrets and fighter defense in larger craft. However, when Wesley Vos was looking for a new bomber for his recently expanded SS, he saw the design and decided to try it. Each cannon runs with it's own small power generator located in the wings of the craft, so it doesn't draw any more power from the engines than a normal cannon. The system is based around six rotating barrels. As the pilot fires, the barrels begin to rotate, allowing a much faster rate of fire than a normal cannon. However, the system is heavy enough that it will easily slow down smaller craft on which it is placed, and without the secondary generators, it draws too much power away from the shields and the engines to make the bomber an easy kill.

Development History: With the recent expansion of the Imperial SS, its commander, Wesley Vos, began a search for ships that would accommodate his unit's new roles. His first object was to replace the current TIE Bombers and Scimitar Bombers carried by his Star Destroyers. However, no current design met his needs.

So he went to Sienar with a general idea for two different bombers: one, a fighter/bomber that could accompany an initial assault wave, and a second-wave bomber that would be heavier, slower, but much more powerful. The techs at Sienar managed to develop the second bomber first.

First, they designed a unique hull for the craft, giving it a wider and deeper base in which it could carry multiple warheads of various types. They added four warhead launchers, allowing it to deposit its load much faster than a normal bomber. Still built around the traditional TIE cockpit, they added defensive lasers on either side and two turreted cannons for side and aft defense.

When the design was presented to Colonel Vos, he wasn't happy. It was not well-enough defended, he said. Sienar had intended for it to rely on fighter cover, but, while Wes knew it would still need cover, he wanted it to be a bit more self-sufficient. That was when the experimental repeater cannon came in.

Wes saw the designs and immediately wanted them installed on the ship. The techs got to work, trying to figure out how to install the two twin repeaters wanted by the colonel. Eventually they came up with the secondary generator arrangement, which would allow the bomber to fly, albeit more slowly than usual, and fire its weapons. The result was a craft that could spray out a great amount of energy to its front but, because of its speed and maneuverability issues, was vulnerable from any other direction and would rely on fighter cover or a first wave of strikes to protect it.

Description: The only parts of the original TIEs that remained on this craft were the cockpit shape and the twin ion engines that gave the series its name. The ship is wider than it is long, shaped into a vague C-shape. It's depth allows for a significant number of warheads as well as two small, secondary generators mounted in the wings that link to the repeating cannons.

The ship's engines are mounted directly behind the cockpit in the style of the TIE Advanced. They produce the energy to power the ship, it's limited sensors, and its defensive weapons.

The bomber carries two turreted laser cannons for 190 degree defensive fire. These cannons are mounted on either side of the cockpit and slightly aft. They are automated and set for defensive fire; however, the pilot can override the automation and link them to the forward cannons. Otherwise, they will track what the droid brains determine to be the greatest threat within a 190 degree arc, and 180 degrees vertically. The guns are programmed not to fire in such a way that they would strike the bomber or any friendly craft.

Two other laser cannons are mounted on either side of the cockpit, forward firing only. These are used mainly for defensive purposes or for anti-starfighter use. The main guns are the twin SFS L-r9.8x Repeating Laser Cannons in the wings. They are forward firing only, but each cannon can spew out the destructive energy of six normal laser cannons in the same amount of time, making attacking this craft from the front a very dangerous idea.

The shield projectors are mounted directly behind the cockpit and put out forward and rear-projecting shields. The bomber's shields are its greatest defense. Because of it's low speed and maneuverability, it relies on the shields, especially the aft shields, to stave off attacks long enough for it to complete its mission.

Picture (artist's rendering, top view):

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NOTE: This ship is only to be used for specifically designated SS units. It is limited production.