Editing Torpedo bomber (section)

====Multi-role attack/strike aircraft====
[[File:B7A-Ryusei torpedo.jpg|thumb|A Japanese [[B7A Ryusei]] (Comet) torpedo dive bomber.]]By the beginning of the Second World War, aircraft technology had increased to the extent that specialised torpedo bombers were no longer necessary.

Multi-role designs were often adapted from either: single-engined, carrier-based dive-bombers like the [[Aichi B7A|Aichi B7A ''Ryusei'']], [[Curtiss SB2C Helldiver]] and [[Fairey Barracuda]], or; land-based twin-engined [[light bombers]]/[[attack aircraft]], such as the [[Bristol Beaufighter]], [[Douglas A-20|Douglas A-20C]] (Boston IIIA), [[Junkers Ju 88]], and [[Tupolev Tu-2]].

[[File:VP-31 P-3A TORPEDO WEB (4831822189).jpg|left|thumb|A [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3 Orion]] dropping an [[Anti-submarine weapon#Torpedo|anti-submarine torpedo]]]]

As the war progressed, single-seat designs also emerged – omitting the roles of gunner, [[Bombardier (aircrew)|bombardier/bomb-aimer]] and/or observer. This configuration was favoured by the US Navy, in particular, and included the [[Martin AM Mauler]] and [[Douglas A-1 Skyraider]], both of which could carry up to three torpedoes.
Another concept, the [[strike fighter|torpedo fighter]], also known as the strike fighter, was intended to also have [[air superiority fighter|air superiority]] capabilities – when it was not carrying or had dropped its torpedo. However, the radically differing requirements of these two roles created design constraints that made it difficult for a single design to excel at both. While some torpedo fighters were put into production, such as the [[Fiat G.55 Centauro#Torpedo fighter|Fiat G.55S]] and [[Blackburn Firebrand]], they seldom launched torpedoes at enemy ships.

From 1946, the US Navy officially discarded its [[1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system|separate designations]] for dive and torpedo bombers, and introduced a single "Attack" designation, similar to that already used by the USAAF. Conversely, the naval air services of the UK and other Commonwealth countries, persisted with specialised torpedo bombers such as the [[Grumman Avenger]] until the early 1960s.

While the importance of air-launched torpedoes declined, relative to [[anti-ship missile]]s, during the [[Cold War]] and subsequently, they were retained by many air services and are now generally delivered by [[anti-submarine warfare]] and [[maritime patrol aircraft]].