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Although slower and less maneuverable than its speedy TIE cousins, the TIE bomber compensates with increased armor and a deadly payload of explosives. The twin cylindrical hulls rest between a pair of elongated solar gather panels. The port pod contains the ordnance bays and targeting systems, while the starboard pod houses the pilot's compartment. During the Imperial pursuit of Alliance fugitives after the Battle of Hoth, the Empire dispatched flights of TIE bombers to bombard the nearby Hoth asteroid field, in hopes of ferreting out the Millennium Falcon. TIE bombers typically carry an array of concussion missiles, orbital mines, proton bombs and free-falling thermal detonators, though they are frequently customized to carry specific ordnance as missions dictate. The ventrally-mounted chute delivers bombs while the forward port fires missiles. Like the other vessels of the TIE-line, the bomber is manufactured by Sienar Fleet Systems. Adhering to the TIE-design philosophy, the bomber is not equipped with shields or a hyperdrive. The production nickname of the TIE bomber was a "double chili dog" fighter, because of its twin cylindrical hulls. The TIE bomber was originally designed for A New Hope, but did not appear until The Empire Strikes Back.