Devastator heavy bomber
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The (fictional) TB-80 Devastator bomber is a large, heavy spaceplane in the Wing Commander universe. The Devastator's purpose is survive long enough to deliver anti-ship torpedoes to an enemy spaceship.
The Devastator was the most powerful torpedo bomber ever deployed by the Terran Confederation. No other bomber design has ever matched it. Small groups of them were capable of laying waste to entire enemy capital ship squadrons. While they generally require fighter escort to survive, they have sufficient armament, shielding and armor to fight their way through light to moderate opposition.
The TB-80A Devastator was armed with a heavy plasma gun capable of penetrating enemy capital ship shielding, five defensive laser turrets and a stormfire gatling-style gun to engage fast-moving fighters. Several missile loadouts were available; typically four heavy torpedoes, eight light torpedoes, six IFF missiles, six image-recognition missiles and thirty-six mines were carried.
The TB-80S "Black" Devastator was a limited-production model initially fielded to elite squadrons, especially those working for the Confederation Intelligence Service. The stormfire was replaced with a tachyon cannon and the mines replaced with 90 short-ranged guided rockets. Improved variants of the standard missiles were also carried.
While the Stormfire was a competent weapon for use against enemy fighters, it was ammunition-limited; the tachyon cannon in the "Black" model was not. However, its relatively slow rate of fire made it of questionable usefulness. Many pilots opted to use the huge plasma cannon against enemy fighters: they waited for an opportune moment and fired, destroying all but the strongest alien fighters.
The Devastator is named for the World War II TBD Devastator made by Douglas Aircraft Company.