TIE/x2 experimental bomber

TIE/x2 bomber "Another outstanding TIE/x craft, the TIE/x2 finally has enough strength to attack well-defended targets. Shielding and fast engines make sure that an attack on a space station or a star cruiser will not become a suicide."

- Admiral Demetrius Zaarin to the bomber pilots of the new Quantum Squadron

The  or TIE/x2 for short was an advanced experimental bomber serving the Galactic Empire. It was developed in 18 BBY and saw limited use afterwards, most notably by the Imperial Remnant(s). It was used for precision bombing or torpedo runs.

Technical details
The TIE/x2 had a dual hull design identical to that of the TIE/sa bomber. However, SFS and KDY installed a more powerful solar ionization reactor into it, which allowed the craft to be equipped with more advanced propulsion, offensive and defensive systems.

The TIE/x2 was equipped with powerful Novaldex deflector shields to be able to fulfill its role as a heavy assault bomber. Other new systems included a Class 2 hyperdrive, more advanced engines and enhanced L-s7.2 laser cannons. The bomber also had both subspace and hyperspace (HoloNet) communications systems, as it was designed to be a craft for squadron leaders, like its cousin the TIE/x1.

These systems had a considerable weight, so the craft was fitted with P-s5.6 twin ion engines, which allowed it to reach better speeds and have better acceleration than the TIE/sa bomber. However, it was very expensive to produce, like the TIE/x1, so it was designed to fulfill a leading role in bomber squadrons, just as the TIE/x1 did in fighter squadrons.

Production
As the new Galactic Empire began to outphase Republic bomber designs like the BTL-B Y-wing bomber and replaced them with TIE craft, encounters with heavily defended targets clearly showed the need for a heavy assault bomber, which is durable enough to survive more than one attack run.

Imperial Navy officers considered this and decided to incorporate a bomber design into the developing TIE/x starfighter line. Like the TIE/x1, the TIE/x2 was to be a joint SFS/KDY project in both production and research.

By early 18 BBY, about twenty prototypes were completed, which were handed over to Admirals Zaarin and Yularen for combat testing. The craft proved to be effective against capital ships and could even engage older starfighters, but it was clear that newer fighters could pose a major threat, so the two admirals suggested increased shield strength. The Imperial Navy agreed, and ordered Novaldex to fit the craft with additional shield generators, a process which took several months. After this was complete, limited production began.

Initial battles
The TIE/x2s were mostly sent to planets of high importance, but at least twenty participated in the Battle of Naboo of 18 BBY, where they performed a bombing run on Theed, successfully destroying large parts of the city. Some were also sent ot Zaarin's Star Destroyer, the Smasher and participated in his encounters with the Rebels.

Later battles
A squadron of TIE/x2s participated in the Battle of Mustafar in 12 BBY, where they destroyed or damaged many of Gizor Dellso's capital ships and bombed one of his droid foundries. Some units were also present at the Battle of Endor, where they were mostly vaporized.

Obsolescence
Although the units production was completely stopped after the TIE/sa bomber was introduced, the units produced remained in Imperial service. The Imperial Remnant continued to utilize them but rarely built any new, as it was too expensive. Still, some participated in the Yuuzhan Vong War and the Second Galactic Civil War, after which they were mostly sold to independent factions.