LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Light Bomber
built 176 days ago
The Light Bomber (Manned) concept calls for a medium-sized aircraft that blends the advantages of a tactical fighter with a strategic bomber to develop a medium/long range, high payload capability (inter-theater) affordable bomber. The aircraft will utilize some level of low-observable technology to obtain an effective yet affordable aircraft which can provide for multiple/heavy weapons carriage and launch for missions requiring real time decision making/replanning or autonomous operations. Cost would be controlled by utilizing off-the-shelf systems and affordable stealth technologies (JSF technology). Logistic support would be enhanced by maximizing commonality of support equipment with existing systems.
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The Blenheim is slowly replacing the Fairey Battle as the RAF's main light bomber. It can carry a 1,000 lb bomb load, and has a range of 1,500 miles at 31,000 feet (9600m). It is armed with one Vickers 'K' gun in the nose, and two 303in Browning machine guns in the dorsal turret. Maximum speed: 266 mph (428 km/h).
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At the beginninf of ´30s the Tupolev tech office studied the realisation of a light-fast bomber, utilizing the experience taken with the realization of previous bimotor fighters. The prototype, named ANT-40, flew initially with american Wright Cyclone engines, then 2 other prototypes recieved the national production M-84 engines and modifies to aereodinamic wing structure. The plane entered the production lines in 1935 and remained in production for 5 years, with continue improvements especially with engines. The SB-2 , that was firstly used in Spanish Civil War, was then used in orient and in the 39-40 Finnish war. Against Germany there was the SB-2bis version , that was largely used in first line squadrons then , after 1943, for night bombings. It was ... built on license in Checoslovakia as B-71 in 111 exemplars.
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The Douglas A-20 Havoc light bomber was one of the most extensively built of the light bombers of WWII. It was used in a variety of roles, performing them well but without distinction. Initially configured with a standard bomber glass nose, some later versions had a solid nose containing multiple machine guns for use in low-level attacks. Some A-20s equipped with radar equipment were redesignated as P-70s and were used as night fighters until replaced in 1944 by the P-61 "Black Widow". The P-70 was given the name Nighthawk, though this name was rarely used. A further variation of the A-20 was the F-3A, which was the photo recon variant.
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The Battle is the standard light bomber presently serving in France. It can carry a 1,000 lb bomb load, and has a range of 1,050 miles at 25,000 feet (7620m). It is armed with one wing-mounted 303in Browning machine gun and one Vickers 'K' gun, fired and operated from the rear cockpit. Maximum speed: 241 mph (388 km/h).
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Prior to WWII , engine power was so scarce that there were several types of bombers, light, medium and heavy , all tuned to a particular performance niche. As fighter s grew to be able to carry the same sorts of loads at even greater speeds, light bombers were replaced around the 1950s and the term fell from use.
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Light Bomber