The term 'missile bomber' is something of a misnomer as only rarely are targets actually bombed in which deadfall ordnance is simply dropped on a target in order to obliterate it, a term which smacks of indiscriminate offensive operations common to low tech powers. In the modern Imperium such methods are a thing consigned to history, as smart missiles that home in on a target and strike with pinpoint precision are much more effective both in terms of cost and satisfying mission objectives.

The Missile Bomber is type of heavy fighter designed for long-range strike operations against targets usually on a world's surface or sometimes in orbit and whilst they can be used in support of ground troops are rarely called upon to strafe ground targets, normally a salvo of missiles is launched from orbit when called down by ground forces (with fire adjusted by forward observers) to annihilate a ground installation. The missile bomber is also suitable for space combat, and has the added advantage of having a small cargo hold and a cramped compartment (in addition to the pilot and gunnery station), containing two acceleration couches and some commo repeaters/readouts and displays so that passengers could be carried if needed. Emperor Cleon has even been seen arriving at the Imperial Naval Depot in one, reportedly claiming that even a cruiser couldn't keep him as safe.

Like it's heavy fighter counterpart it also has an extensive and powerful computer, commo & sensor arrangement also hardened against radiation damage, the onboard missile magazines support 40 battery rounds and can easily contain nuclear based weaponry in addition to the more normal high explosive shipboard missiles.

The missile bomber also comes fitted with a vehicular heavy beam laser built into a streamlined mount in the ship's hull just above the wing, that was included to add additional offensive punch, early feedback from crews regarding this weapon has been negative, in the sense that the whole fighter has to be orientated to use it as it cannot be aimed independently like a turret, though when presented with large targets or when strafing ground targets it can be useful in an indiscriminate way, so it's unlikely to become a standard fixture on future weapons platforms.

Whilst expensive, it's a versatile ship, that's agile, graceful, hard to kill and more than capable of delivering a missile payload to any target within sensor range. Surprisingly it also performs well against atmospheric fighters/interceptors and is considered the weapon of choice when taking out mobile artillery such as grav tanks/APC's or traditional build tracked APC's/Tanks or dug in field emplacements.

Imperial Missile Bomber

Class: Missile Bomber            Ep Output: 5.2
Tech Level: 12                Agility: 6
Size: (small 30 Tons)            Initiative: 6
Streamlining: Air-Framed        AC: 20
Jump Range: None            Repulsors: None
Acceleration 4G (Thruster)        Nuclear Dampers: None
Fuel 1.3 Tons (Hydrogen)        Meson Screens: None
Duration: 6.5 days            Black Globes: None
Crew: 2                AR: 3
Staterooms: none            SI: 95
Small Cabins: none            Main Computer: Model 3 Fib
Bunks: none                Sensor Range: Medium (model 3)
Couches: 2 in addition to crew    Comm. Range: Medium (model 3)
Low Berths: none        
Cargo Space: 1.0 Ton            Cost: Mcr 65.48  (Mcr 52.384 in Quantity)
Atmospheric speeds            Noe= 1400 kph
Cruising = 4200 kph            Maximum = 5600 kph

Other Equipment: 

1 x Triple Missile Turret USP=2
1 x vehicular fixed forward firing heavy beam laser (5d8 vehicles/1d8 ships 
& small craft) an effective laser lance.

Design Worksheet.

Installed Component        Tonnage    MCR    Ep      Notes.

Hull                       +30        3.6    ----    Wedge 0.6/0.3
Upgraded Armour              2.4      0.78   ----    AC+3/AR+3
Upgraded Streamlining        1.5      0.150  ----    Airframe
Bridge                       4.0      0.1    ----    Crew 2
2 acceleration couches       1.0      0.05   ----    Passengers 2
Computer                     0.3     30.6    -1.0    Model 3 Fib
Avionics                     0.8     (1.8)   ----    Model 2
Sensors                      0.9     (1.8)   ----    Model 3
Commo                        0.6     (1.5)   ----    Model 3
M-Drive                      3.3      1.65   -1.2    4G Thruster
Power Plant                  7.8     23.4    +5.2    Tl 12 Fusion Reactor
Fuel 1 week                  1.3     ----    ----    Liquid Hydrogen
Hardpoint                   ----      0.1    ----    1 Hardpoint
1 x Triple Turret           ----      1.0    ----
1 x Single Weapon mount     ----      0.5    ----
3 x Missile rack            ----      2.25   ----    Missile Batter USP=2
1 x Single Beam Laser        1.0-     1.0    -1.0    Beam Laser USP=1
3 x missile magazine         3.0      0.3    ----    120 missiles/40 rounds
Cargo                        2.1     ----    ----    

Totals                30.0          65.48    3.75

Excess Power = 2.0 (+6 Agility)

Original T4 Design: Not Credited.

Design Adapted for T20, by Mark Bridgeman.

Note the single beam laser is vehicle mounted weapon, (1000 vl - heavy beam laser) the volume of which has been rounded up to a displacement ton to take into account the streamlining needed to work it into the side of the hull. This mount is pilot controlled as it permanently faces forward and cannot be aimed, hence the pilot has to orientate the craft in order aim it, making it useful for strafing runs and the occasional short range shot at a larger target, though little else.

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