Strike craft

Strike craft or bombers are thirty meters long and ten meters wide.

Their task is to launch big torpedoes at enemy capital ships, and take down or least severely damage them. Plasma, high-explosive, or thermonuclear bombs are the ordinance weapon of choice against stationary installations or planetary targets.

Most Star states deploy light bombers since these ships are cheap, easy to maintain and replace. To fit the role a bomber design should be able to carry at least one torpedo, sport heavy armor-plating, and numerous point defense turrets. The star navies of rich states even require their bombers be factory outfitted with energy shielding, for greater survivability.

Even though they are the most widely used strike craft, light bombers are rarely sent to take out the toughest of targets on their own. They are best employed to raid enemy supply lines, attacking convoys of slow-moving transports. With its superior range and anti-ship armaments, this type of strike craft has a better chance of staying in the operation area for longer periods of time and evading convoy escorts after the attack run.

The “proper” bomber design lacks the speed and maneuverability to chase after nimble, small transports. Designed to carry a lot of torpedoes and oftentimes outfitted with heavy cannons, this craft is best used to take down big capital ships.

“Bombers were never intended to win beauty pageants.”

Terran rarely field light bombers en masse.

Contrary to popular alien strategic doctrines, only Terran colonists operate units based on the light bomber chassis. CN bomber squadrons consist entirely of medium bombers. These can carry up to four torpedoes, multiple bombs, and even anti-capital ship cannons.

These bombers are built around a laser, railgun or plasma cannon, with torpedo hardpoints safely shielded under their armor-plating. They are outfitted with multiple point defense turrets that cover all possible angles of enemy attack. In battle, the Terran bomber often uses its torpedoes to soften the target before moving in closer and finishing the job with its long cannon.

CN squadrons follow the tried and tested tradition of having support craft flying either within the bomber formation itself, or closely behind it. Those vary between re-fitted shuttlecraft, dropships, or even small cargo/transport vessels. These support ships can provide immediate rearm, refuel and even patchwork repairs. As such, the CN bomber squadrons often act independently from their carrier vessels, which allows Terran commanders much greater flexibility and more tactical options.

“Heavy armor and a lot of guns – this is exactly what you want in a bomber.”

Regardless of their size or armaments, bombers are a dangerous opponent and not to be underestimated. An apt commander always keeps his bomber squadrons in reserve and ready to cut his opponent’s jugular. CN tactics require that their bombers perform long-range strike ops against well chosen, isolated targets. Their elite crews are experts in pulling off these attacks and they can lurk in the dark of space for days, weeks on end in order to scrap the target.

Oftentimes they fly on fumes, but always reach the landing decks of their carriers.

“Time to weep, time to howl out in terror! The Terrans are coming and their bombers carry swarms of torpedoes with our starship names written on the tip of their warheads!”

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