T.I.E. starfighter

The T.I.E. starfighter, also known as the Twin Ion Engine starfighter, was an Imperial starfighter manufactured from 20 BBY to 3 BBY, as a successor to the Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter and a predecessor to the more famous TIE/ln fighter. They used the Twin Ion Engine schematics pioneered by Wraith Sienar for inexpensive maneuverability and used radiator panels to diffuse excess radiation generated by their cheap reactor cores. Like its successor, the T.I.E. starfighter was fast and formidable in swarms, though because they were manufactured in a time of relative peace (the Rebellion had not been formed yet), they were not manufactured as heavily and as cheaply as the TIE/ln. Though the later TIE fighter was first seen in 18 BBY, they were not as heavily manufactured until this ship was discontinued.

The Empire, having produced a surplus of these fighters, sold many of them to local planetary security forces. They were seen in the Battle of Bespin and the Second Corellian Campaign.

The T.I.E starfighter was armed with two laser cannons and four concussion missiles. It had no shield generator, though it was not too expensive to upgrade it with shields. Because it carried concussion missiles, unlike the TIE/ln fighter, the T.I.E. starfighter was reserved for missions that required more flexibility from its starfighter body.

Appearances

 * Avian Hunt