Definition

Noun A military aircraft designed to attack targets by diving steeply toward them before releasing its bombs. This tactic aims to improve bombing accuracy.

Usage

A dive bomber is a specific type of bomber aircraft. The term refers to the aircraft's primary method of attack. - Example: The Stuka was a famous German dive bomber used in World War II. - Example: The pilot skillfully maneuvered the dive bomber into its attack dive.

Advanced Usage

The term is primarily historical, as modern precision-guided munitions have largely made the tactic obsolete. - Example: In historical simulations, controlling a dive bomber requires mastering a steep, high-speed descent.

Variants and Related Words

• Dive-bomb (verb): To attack a target using the steep-diving tactic characteristic of a dive bomber.
  • Example: The squadron was ordered to dive-bomb the enemy bridge.

Synonyms

• Attack aircraft (a broader, more general term)
• Ground-attack aircraft (a broader, more general term)

Related Phrases

• Dive bombing (noun): The tactic or action of attacking from a steep dive.
  • Example: The effectiveness of dive bombing against ships was proven early in the war.

Noun

1. a bomber that releases its bombs during a steep dive toward the target