A fighter-bomber is a fixed-wing aircraft with an intended primary role of light tactical bombing and also incorporating certain performance characteristics of a fighter aircraft.[1] This term, although still used, has less significance since the introduction of rockets and guided missiles into aerial warfare. Nowadays, aircraft that carry similar duties are typically called multirole fighters or sometimes strike fighters.
In their use, fighter-bombers often are confused with ground-attack aircraft or tactical bombers, but they differ from these categories mainly by possessing (at least partial) fighter capabilities, fighter heritage, or fighter-like appearance. The most notable examples from World War II are Hawker Typhoon and Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.
In terms of bombing tactic, various types of fighter-bombers used various techniques. Some of them were intended for high-level bombing, some for low-level semi-horizontal bombing, and some even for low-level steep dive bombing (as in case of Blackburn Skua or A-36 Apache).
Many fighter-bombers like the Bristol Beaufighter have a rear gun manned by the navigator-observer. Fighter bombers are often used for multiple roles.
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