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Bomber · Galactic Empire
TIE bomber
Two pods, one for the pilot and one for the bombs: the Empire's TIE for bombing runs.
- Model
- TIE/sa tactical bomber
- Maker
- Sienar Fleet Systems
- Length
- 7.8 m
- Width
- 9.3 m
- Height
- 5.1 m
- Crew
- 1 pilot
- Armament
- 2 forward laser cannons · Ordnance bay: bombs and missiles
Galactic EmpireCompare on the scale
Overview
The TIE bomber is built around two pods set side by side. The pilot flies from one of them; the other is the ordnance bay[4]. The result is a wide, squat ship that looks nothing like the single-pod TIE fighters around it.
Sienar Fleet Systems, which also builds the standard TIE fighter, designed it to carry heavy ordnance, including proton bombs and concussion missiles, behind two forward laser cannons[4]. It goes after ground targets, as in the bombing runs over Ryloth, and after capital ships alike[4][5].
Bombers first appear in The Empire Strikes Back, where they hunt the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid field[3]. They fly again at the Battle of Endor[1], over Ryloth in Star Wars Rebels, and with Moff Gideon's Imperial remnant in The Mandalorian season 3[4].
Length 7.8 m
Width 9.3 m
How it flies and fights
The bomber measures about 7.8 metres long, 9.3 metres wide and 5.1 metres tall[4]. Its two pods sit side by side: the pilot flies from one, and the other is the ordnance bay. Two laser cannons fire forward from the hull[4].
The bay is where the damage is done. It carries proton bombs, concussion missiles and other ordnance, and the load decides the job[4]. In Star Wars: Squadrons the bomber is a lumbering ship, but with the right loadout it is dangerous to capital ships or to fighters[5].
Who flew it
Moff Gideon
Commander
Commanded the Imperial remnant that fielded TIE bombers, with a squadron of interceptors beside them, in The Mandalorian season 3[4].
Chronicle
Key moments in the ship's life, in story order. Spoilers stay hidden until you mark the title as watched in the timeline.
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0 BBY
TIE/sa bombers belong to the Death Star's complement of starfighters at the time of the Battle of Yavin[4].
-
3 ABY
Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back
With the Rebels in flight from Hoth, bombers join the hunt for the Millennium Falcon and bomb the asteroid field where it hides[3].
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4 ABY
Episode VI — Return of the Jedi
TIE bombers fly in the swarm launched to defend the second Death Star against the Rebel fleet[1].
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≈ 9 ABY
Spoiler from The Mandalorian — Season 3Showyou've watched it
Bombers, escorted by TIE interceptors, bomb the Kryze castle on Mandalore in the Imperial remnant's attack[4].
-
—
Imperial bombers make bombing runs on Ryloth, aimed at the resistance cell led by Cham Syndulla[4].
Where it flew
Where to see the TIE bomber
Films, series and games with the TIE bomber, in story order.
Star Wars RebelsAnimated series · 2014–2018The crew of the starship Ghost takes on the Empire, and young Ezra Bridger discovers the Force.
Episode V — The Empire Strikes BackMovie · 1980The Empire hunts the rebels across the galaxy, while Luke trains with Jedi Master Yoda.
Episode VI — Return of the JediMovie · 1983The rebels attack the second Death Star, and Luke faces Darth Vader and the Emperor.
Battlefront IIGame · 2017
Star Wars: SquadronsGame · 2020
The Book of Boba FettSeries · 2021–2022Boba Fett and Fennec Shand set out to take over Jabba the Hutt's former criminal empire on Tatooine.
The Mandalorian — Season 3Series · 2023Din Djarin heads for the ruins of Mandalore to atone for breaking the Mandalorian Creed.
Variants
Behind the scenes
- The bomber debuted in The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It was developed from a 'TIE boarding craft' idea that the first film left unused[3].
- ILM's model makers nicknamed the twin-hulled design the 'double chili dog' fighter, a nod to the two long pods set side by side, one for the pilot and one for the bombs[3][4].
Did you know
TIE bomber: questions and answers
How big is a TIE bomber?
A TIE bomber is about 7.8 metres long, 9.3 metres wide and 5.1 metres tall[4]. That is shorter than a city bus (about 12 metres) but wider than it is long, because of its twin pods.
What weapons does a TIE bomber carry?
Two forward laser cannons and a bay of ordnance, including proton bombs and concussion missiles[4]. The bay sits in the second pod, so only one pod holds the pilot.
