Bomber destroyer

Bomber destroyers were typically larger and heavier than general interceptors, designed to mount more powerful armament, and often having twin engines.

The United States Army Air Corps considered powerfully armed destroyers, like the Bell YFM-1 Airacuda prototype, to counter a potential attack of high-performance bombers.

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning and Bell P-39 Airacobra were also initially specified to carry very heavy armament based on a central 37 mm cannon, specified as interceptor aircraft working in the anti-bomber role.

[2] The German designs suffered performance deficits as they were weighed down by a two- or three-man crew and extra cockpit accommodations.

After World War II, improvements in engine power and armament led to a loss of interest in building bomber destroyers as a specific class of aircraft.