TIE Fighter
| TIE_Fighter.jpg TIE Fighter | |
| Production Information | |
|---|---|
| Class |
Starfighter |
| Model | |
| Manufacturer |
Sienar Fleet Systems |
| Technical Specifications | |
| Length |
6.3 meters |
| Maximum Acceleration |
4,100 G |
| MGLT |
100 MGLT |
| Engine Units |
|
| Hyperdrive Rating |
None |
| Shielding |
None (upgrade only) |
| Hull |
Titanium alloy hull (15 RU) |
| Armament |
SFS L-s1 laser cannons (2) |
| Crew |
Pilot (1) |
| Passengers |
None |
| Cargo Capacity |
65 kilograms |
| Other |
|
| Usage | |
| Roles |
Multi-purpose space superiority fighter |
Characteristics[edit]
The TIE/ln, a descendant of the T.I.E. starfighter and the V-wing starfighter, both developed for the Galactic Republic, was manufactured by Sienar Fleet Systems. In addition to the T.I.E. and V-wing, it was also descended from the TIE starfighter, the first TIE model developed for the Galactic Empire.
The TIE/ln's engine was one of the most precisely manufactured propulsion systems in the galaxy, and with no moving parts, was low-maintenance. Unlike the TIE before it, the TIE/ln sported independent generators for the engine and the weapons. The lack of combat shields, hyperdrive, and life-support systems, in concert with the advanced engine design, reduced the mass of the fighter and conferred exceptional maneuverability.
Primary armament was a pair of powerful laser cannons. These cannons were relatively powerful, and a well-placed hit on a starfighter or medium transport could damage or destroy it. It did not carry missile tubes, but such weapons could be added on if necessary.
Due to the lack of life-support systems, each TIE pilot had a fully-sealed flight suit superior to their Rebel counterparts. The absence of a hyperdrive also rendered the fighter totally dependent on carrier ships when deployed in enemy systems. TIE/lns also lacked landing gear, another mass-reducing measure. While the ships were structurally capable of "sitting" on their wings, they were not designed to land or disembark their pilots without special support.
TIEs were designed to attack in large numbers, overwhelming the enemy craft. The Imperials used so many that they came to be considered symbols of the Empire and its might. They were also very cheap to produce, reflecting the Imperial philosophy of quantity over quality.
Contrary to popular belief, the ships did possess ejection seats, but the nature of space warfare often resulted in pilots riding their craft down to a swift end rather than ejecting and risking slow death by heat loss and oxygen starvation in the vacuum of space.
The design choices of the TIE/ln could arguably be explained by Imperial military philosophy, which viewed the starfighters and their pilots as an expendable asset. Though Imperial pilots were of an elite stock, they also considered themselves expendable, in accordance with their ideological training.
History[edit]
The basic TIE starfighter inspired a number of other Imperial starfighters manufactured by Sienar Fleet Systems, which became collectively known as the TIE series. The TIE Line fighter was one of them, and replaced the original model as the standard fleet fighter in the Empire. While the original TIE had performance parity with heavier-built X-wings, the newer TIE/ln boasted improved engines and more powerful weapons, surpassing contemporary Rebel fighters.
TIEs would be used in massive numbers throughout the Galactic Civil War and would be regarded by many as a symbol of the Empire. Some TIEs fell into the hands of the Rebellion, who would sometimes use them to infiltrate Imperial facilities.
It had been intended that the TIE/ln would be replaced by the TIE Interceptor, and indeed Interceptors began to see greater use around the time of the Battle of Endor, but the collapse of the Imperial government into sectionalism precluded this.
Source[edit]
- Credit to Wookieepedia for the above information
