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Scimitar Assault Bomber

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one of the first new starfighters commissioned by Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Scimitar was developed by Captain Tomax Bren. It had the maneuverability of the TIE Interceptor or the X-Wing, the armament of a TIE bomber, and the ability to fly in an atmosphere. It was a dedicated bomber designed with the help of the Scimitar Assault Wing, from which it obtained its name. It had a long, central tube for a hull, and was the first TIE-like craft to be a two-man ship. The pilot and bomber sat in the forward section of the hull, which could be jettisoned in emergencies. This forward section was situated in front of the wings, providing enhanced visibility over most TIE designs. The middle section of the hull contained the power generators, sensors, and targetting computers. The rear section contained the bomb bays and engine. The Scimitar was different from the TIE Bomber in that it had only a single ion engine - paired with two interlocked repuslorlift engines - to propel it. It was armed with two racks of eight concussion missiles and two laser cannons. Proton grenades and free-falling thermal detonators can also be carried for deployment via the bomb bays. Roughly 13.8 meters in length, the Scimitar bomber has been rated at speeds of 850 kilometers per hour in atmospheric conditions. By introducing thrust from the repulsorlift engines, speeds of 1,000 kilometers per hour can be sustained during bombing runs. Note that the Star Wars Databank indicates that the Scimitar could attain speeds of 1,150 kilometers per hour in atmosphere, and 1,250 kilometers per hour on bombing runs. The Scimitar was protected by additional hull plating and the introduction of shields. The Scimitar was manufactured by Seinar Fleet Systems for several years after Thrawn's death, but it was eventually phased out of production.