The development of cruise missiles can be understood, as they can increase the strike range of bombers by thousands of kilometers while allowing them to operate in relatively safe airspace, without having to venture through enemy air defenses as in the past, dropping bombs amidst the network of high-altitude guns and air defense missiles.
As for the latter, it has a significant relationship with the inherent defects of the Imperial Bombers.
To extend the combat radius of bombers as much as possible, even with the support of refueling aircraft, bombers need to have sufficient fuel capacity. Refueling aircraft might not always reach the front lines, therefore, the design of bombers must first ensure the volume of the fuel tanks.
Even if it can't take off with full fuel, it can take off fully loaded and refuel in the air to achieve a longer combat radius.
Once the size of the aircraft is determined, the larger the fuel tank, the smaller the space for the bomb bay.
