Bombers

Bombers were aircraft designed to drop bombs and other explosive ordinance on enemy surface targets. They generally also carried defensive machine gun or cannon armament. Most were optimized for a particular kind of bombing mission, which led to a bewildering variety of designs.

Heavy bombers were optimized for range and ordnance load. Most were also fairly heavily armed and protected with armor plate for survivability in enemy-controlled airspace. They were most suitable for strategic bombing of fixed locations such as arms factories or other economic infrastructure.

Medium bombers sacrificed some range and ordnance load for speed and ease of manufacture. They were suitable for use against enemy lines of communication, but usually lacked the range and survivability for strategic bombing deep in enemy territory.

Light bombers carried a relatively light payload but were suitable for tactical missions requiring rapid response and flexibility. Most were single engine aircraft with a crew of two or three. Dive bombers specialized in accurate attacks with bombs against high-valued land or naval targets. Torpedo bombers, as the name implies, were naval aircraft specializing in delivering torpedoes against shipping, but they could also be employed as horizontal bombers against land positions.

Carrier Bombers

In addition to the other qualities desirable in a light bomber, a carrier bomber had to have a low enough landing speed to operate off a short flight deck, enough resistance to corrosion to endure salt air, and a sturdy undercarriage for hard landings on flight decks. These requirements did not constrain carrier bomber design as severely as they did carrier fighter design. In fact, it was rare for land-based light bombers to be as successful as carrier bombers. As Bergerud points out, ships are valuable targets, and a combat attrition rate that is acceptable when attacking shipping may not be acceptable for ground support missions. The land-based version of the Dauntless (known as the A-24) was a failure, while the Dauntless itself was a resounding success.

References

Bergerud (2000)