F/A-76 Longbow

F/A-76 Longbow
Type	Torpedo Bomber
Manufacturer	McCall Industries
Primary User	Terran Confederation
Additional Users	Union of Border Worlds
General Characteristics
Length	38 meters
Mass	22 tonnes
Crew	2 (Pilot, Gunner)
Performance
Acceleration	175 k/s2
Acceleration	Extremely low
Velocity
Maximum	320 kps
Afterburner
Maximum Afterburner	700 kps
Max Acceleration	500 k/s2
Armament
Guns
Neutron Guns (2), Plasma Guns (2)
Turrets
Dual Mount Particle Guns (1)
Default Missile Loadout
Torpedoes (4), Friend or Foe Missiles (8), Heat-Seeking Missiles (8)
Components
Decoys	24
Cloaking Device	No
Jump Drive	Yes
Defense
Shields
Fore	500 cm equivalent
Aft	500 cm equivalent
Armor
Front	300 cm
Rear	300 cm
Right	300 cm
Left	300 cm
Source	Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger

The F/A-76 Longbow is a heavy bomber in the service of the Terran Confederation. It has seen action with several Terran factions during and following the Terran-Kilrathi War.

Work-in-progress, expect frequent changes. Help and feedback is welcome. See discussion page.

History

The Longbow is a Kilrathi War era design among a long line of heavy bombers, including the A-17 Broadsword and the A-18 Crossbow. Like most bombers, the Longbow is built on a heavy chassis and is specially suited to neutralize high priority targets, including warships, installations, and planetary bases. The Longbow is heavily armored and can absorb enemy fire for prolonged periods. As of 2669, it was among the most heavily-armed fighters in the Confederation, hosting several lasers, a large missile loadout, at least four torpedoes, and a rear turret for additional protection. Its heavy payload made it a lethal threat to Kilrathi warships, especially from Longbows flying in squadrons.

One of the Longbow's greatest drawbacks, though, is its poor maneuverability. Being such a large fighter with a heavy payload, it is a poor choice against enemy fighters and must often rely on its rear turret and a fighter escort to ward off its opponents.

Some variants of the Longbow also possessed jump capabilities, a rarity among Confederation fighters.

Longbows saw extensive service in 2669 against the Kilrathi. At least one squadron was stationed on the TCS Victory. One of their more notable actions took place during the launch of the TCS Behemoth. The Victory sent its Longbows to plant mines around several jump points in the Torgo System to ward off any Kilrathi pursuers who might have attempted to stop the Behemoth from reaching the Loki System, where its primary weapon would be tested.

Even after the end of the Kilrathi War, the Longbow saw extensive action during the Border Worlds Conflict of 2673. During the conspiracy to drag the Confederation into a state of war with the Union of Border Worlds, the Black Lance acquired numerous Longbows for use in their attacks on the two factions. Many of these Longbows would be destroyed at the hands of Confederation and Border Worlds pilots.

Wing Commander 3

• Flyable Missions
  • Tamayo Mission 2 (TAM-2)
  • Ariel Mission 1 (ARI-1)
  • Ariel Mission 2 (ARI-2)
  • Ariel Mission 3 (ARI-3)
  • Delius Mission 1 (DEL-1)
  • Delius Mission 2 (DEL-2)
  • Caliban Mission 1 (CAL-1)
  • Caliban Mission 2 (CAL-2)
  • Torgo Mission 2 (TOR-2)
  • Alcor Mission 2 (ALC-2)
  • Freya Mission 1 (FRE-1)
  • Freya Mission 3 (FRE-3)
  • Freya Mission 4 (FRE-4)
  • Proxima Mission 1 (PRO-1)
  • Sol Mission 1 (SOL-1)

Wing Commander 4

• Flyable Missions
  • Hellespont Mission 2 (HEL-2)
  • Hellespont Mission 3A (HEL-3A)
  • Hellespont Mission 3B (HEL-3B)
  • Masa Mission 1 (MAS-1)
  • Masa Mission 2 (MAS-2)
  • Silenos Mission 1B (SIL-1B)
  • Silenos Mission 2B (SIL-2B)
• Appears in Mission
  • Silenos Mission 3B (SIL-3B)
  • Silenos Mission 1A (SIL-1A)
  • Silenos Mission 3A (SIL-3A)
  • Circe Mission Rescue Catscratch
  • Speradon Mission Rescue Catscratch
  • Ella Mission 1A (ELA-1)

Gallery

• 

  Longbow during Border Worlds Crisis 2673.

• 

  F/A-76 Target Identification, circa 2673.