Post by Marcus Starkiller on Dec 6, 2005 19:13:42 GMT -5
Model: TIE/int Bomber
Manufacturer: Sienar Fleet Systems
Designation: Heavy Short Range Bomber
Length: 7.8 meters
Crew: 1
Cargo Capacity: 60 metric tons (bomb bay)
Consumables: 2 days
Speed: 80 MGLT
Hull: 38 RU
Weapons: 2 Laser Cannons, 8 Concussion Missile Launchers and 4 Proton Torpedo, Orbital Mine or Thermal Detonator Launchers.
The next enhanced TIE Bomber model, after the TIE Heavy Bomber, became the TIE/int. This enhanced bomber has the same basic features but nearly four times the firepower of the TIE Bomber. The propulsion engine is also in this model upgraded to compensate for the added mass, thereby giving it the speed of the standard TIE Bomber. This is one of the most powerful fighters in the Imperial arsenal. Carrying 12 warhead launchers with a total of 48 Missiles and 16 Torpedoes, 16 Proximity Mines or 72 Free falling Thermal Detonators.
Still the TIE Interdictor is a vulnerable target and most be escorted into battle by a minimum of 4 TIE Fighters or Interceptors. To cut down production prize Naval R&D has chosen not to equip the TIE Interdictor with a shield generator. But in battles it has shown that the heavy bomber has been a target of intensive aggression. The enemies fear the TIE Interdictor to such an extend that they concentrate much of their firepower towards it, in the hope of bringing it down before it can launch its deadly warheads. Mostly this diversion of fire is only in the Empires favor, as the other involved strike craft gets much easier attack runs with minimal resistance. But the TIE Interdictor is because of this not a favored craft among bomber pilots. Many would rather prefer to battle in a standard TIE/bm Bomber. But it has not yet been a problem to recruit TIE Interdictor pilots as the model is not produced in large quantities and is only deployed in "special" operations with high priority.
In the years between the Imperial I and Imperial II Death Stars, the TIE Interdictor was frequently used by the forces of Lord Darth Vader, in his quest to bring down the Rebel forces. But since that time and after the development of the TIE Scimitar Assault Bomber, the TIE Interdictor has nearly gone out of production. Nevertheless, few fleets still order and conduct operations with TIE Interdictor.