H-60 Tempest bomber

The H-60 Tempest bomber,^[3] sometimes nicknamed B-wing,^[4] was a flying wing-style bomber that was a predecessor of the A/SF-01 B-wing starfighter.^[1]

Characteristics

Two H-60s in the hangar (bottom left corner, and top right corner) with one cockpit detached. — Two H-60s in the Massassi temple hangar (bottom left corner, and top right corner) with one cockpit detached.

The Tempest resembled a larger version of the later B-wing starfighter, but lacked its folding wings. There was also a different engine configuration than that of the B-wing, and other design variations, including a cockpit on each end which were detachable for maintenance and repairs.^[3]

It cost 172,000 credits, had medium laser cannons, twin light ion cannons, and a ventral proton bomb bay.^[2]

History

The H-60 bomber was developed for the Republic Navy in the final decades of the Galactic Republic. Naval planners held a dislike for the resource-heavy and unusual twin-cockpit design and the bombers saw little use. Some were stored in Republic scrap yards to be used for spare parts.^[1]

A , a and a H-60 Tempest attacking a during the . — A X-wing, a Y-wing and a H-60 Tempest attacking a *Lancer*-class frigate during the Battle for *Black Ice*.

As the Galactic Empire came to power, bombers were sold off to independent parties in secret and saw some moderate success for several decades.^[1] Only a few squadrons worth had been made when the line was scuttled, with the Rebel Alliance purchasing several of them at a drastic discount, being used in conflicts at the Outer Rim.^[2]

Although the design was too inflexible to compete with more modern fighters, the best parts of the H-60 were used in the design of the B-wing starfighter.^[1] Around 0 BBY, the H-60 was used by the Rebel Alliance, with some ships from Ord Bueri kept in reserve at their main base on Yavin IV.^[3] H-60 Tempest bombers were used by Rebel forces during the Battle for Black Ice.^[4]

Behind the scenes

Discarded concept art that looks similar to the H-60 Tempest. — Discarded *Return of the Jedi* concept art that looks similar to the H-60 Tempest.

Leland Chee has said that a craft that resembles a B-wing in the Droids episodes "Escape Into Terror" and "The New King" may be the H-60 Tempest bomber.^[5]

Although the The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide says the craft has a crew of four, Stay on Target says it only has two; a pilot and gunner.