True Lanc. Having just prepared for a presentation on the Hellcat, I can say that it's primary role was a fighter and strafer. It could carry up to 2,000 lbs. of bombs (1 x 1,000 lbs. on each wing, or 6 rockets on pylons), but it was a fighter first. They had aircraft on the carriers specifically designed to be dive-bombers, like the TBM/TBF Avenger.