Introduction
This course covers the Incom X-Wing Starfighter in greater detail. I tried to put in here a bit of history of the X-Wing and basics of its build.
The Beginning
The X-wing was originally designed by Incom Corporation for the Empire, but the entire engineering team defected to the Rebel Alliance. Rebel raids made it possible for all of the sympathizers to escape Fresia, taking with them the designs and prototypes. It was directly descended from the old Z-95 Headhunter, built by Incom and Subpro, with lessons learned from the ARC-170 starfighter. It first encountered Imperial forces in the Battle of Turkana. The X-wing played a major role in the Galactic Civil War for the Rebellion.
The Success
The X-Wing was a great success as soon as it appeared in combat. The X-Wing soon earned the reputation as having "An almost perfect balance of speed, maneuverability, and defensive shielding..." - General Carlist Rieekan.
The X-Wing was created by utilizing the newest technology available. This allowed it to be highly maneuverable, durable, and heavily armed. What set it apart from its rivals at the time was the inclusion of a shielding system and a hyperdrive. For the first time in history there was a Space Superiority starfighter containing all of these attributes in one package.
Capabilities of the X-Wing gave the Rebels improved tactical options. Soon it was clear that Incom’s fighter fit perfectly into the Rebellion’s "Hit and Fade" doctrine and tactics designed as a result of being outnumbered and trying to limit losses or casualties. It appears now that the excellence in the X-Wing was gained by using similar technology from the Incom Corporation from previous designs, like the T-16 or the T-47. These designs were familiar to those in Outer Rim Territories where the Rebels did most of their recruiting.
The Response
Imperial strategists soon created a counter for the X-Wing, the TIE Interceptor, which was faster and more maneuverable but still lacked shields or a hyperdrive. In the ongoing conflict it became apparent that shields and hyperdrive were essential, especially when the faster T65C-A2, successor of T-65B, appeared in battle. After the Battle of Endor and fall of the Empire even the most skeptical Imperial officers had to admit these facts.
The race would continue but, for now, the New Republic had the advantage, but it didn't last long. Soon to appear in the conflict were the next generation of starfighters. The TIE Defender, A-9 Vigilance Interceptor and E-Wing surpassed the older X-Wing designs and forced them into second line duties.
The Come Back
The X-Wing was reviewed and redesigned using the newest technology. The result was the T-65AC4 model, also known as the T65F model. Once again, the X-Wing regained its previous reputation as an excellent, well balanced Space Superiority starfighter. Older T-65B and T-65C-A2 were also refitted and became the T-65BR model and took on the role of flying reconnaissance missions. One of the biggest changes as part of this refit was the replacement of the X-wing's standard proton torpedo launchers with advanced, high-gain, long-range sensor package with high-speed hypertransceivers. These modifications allowed the "Snoopscoot" to be a very effective replacement for the Y-wing Longprobe reconnaissance craft.
Thirteen years after fall of the Empire an even newer version of the X-Wing emerged, the T65D-A1 model. Once again, this model was created using the most advanced technology available. Improvements included an advanced computer system that integrated all the functions that had previously been handled by astromech droids. This new system was retro-fitted into older models to upgrade them to T65D-A1 specs. Soon after this it was discovered that all of the new computers were sabotaged with hidden explosive detonators. This grounded all New Republic X-Wings and temporarily hampered success of the T65D-A1 model.
The X-Wing continued to see improvements and upgrades to be able to compete with the newer starfighters that appeared. Advancements in technology were quickly incorporated into all models of the X-Wing. The last version, around the era of the New Jedi Order, was the XJ X-Wing, or T65i model. It's cutting edge design differed from the older T65 models but its lineage is apparent. The XJ series boasted increased shield capacity, better maneuverability, and a higher sublight acceleration. The starfighter's weapons carried an increased charge and better targeting computers, making the craft a formidable enemy of the foes of the New Republic. Additionally, a third proton torpedo launcher was added to up the fighter's payload to 9 torpedoes total.
StealthX
The StealthX was smaller than the XJ-series X-wing. It featured equipment that hid the craft both visually and tactically, though the craft's position was given away if proton torpedoes were used or if the pilot broadcasted over the comlink. The StealthX was used exclusively by Jedi, as the restrictions on comm usage made it nearly impossible for anyone other than a Jedi to coordinate with other forces.
A modification of the already formidable XJ3 X-wing starfighter, the StealthX had a star-flecked body of irregular, matte-black fiberplast that rendered it almost invisible against a background of stars. The third torpedo launcher had been replaced by a gravitic modulator designed to defeat mass-detectors, and its shields had been downgraded to make room for a suite of sensor negators. Even its fusial engines had been retooled to burn a special tibanna isotope, designated TibannaX, whose efflux turned dark a millisecond after fusion. The viewports utilized blast-tinting technology.
The standard proton torpedoes were often replaced with the custom-made Jedi shadow bombs, if they were available. The StealthX could also carry glop bombs, which released a quick-hardening foam upon detonation, and two-stage armor-piercing bunker-buster bombs. The advanced R9-series astromech droids were assigned to assist the pilots with the special requirements of this unique craft.
The Astromech droids
A hallmark of Incom designs was the incorporation of an astromech droid into the X-Wing (and its variants) frame. Usually located in an external socket just aft of the pilot, the droid's primary purpose was as a backup or replacement for a nav computer, however, an astromech could only hold a set number of hyperspace coordinates. They also provided in-flight maintenance and repair, and performed a number of routine functions so the pilot could focus on flying the craft.
Continual use of the same droid would result in it turning into more of an extension of the fighter's main computer. Without frequent memory wipes the craft could develop a personality of its own, with the droid exerting its own control over the ship's electronic systems. Incom recommended wiping its memory for this reason, as some of the personality flaws the droid could pick up–for example, an obstinate streak–could prove hazardous to the pilot if the droid refused to obey his or her commands. This gained the ship a reputation for quirkiness. Some pilots, however, intentionally allowed the droids to develop personalities, believing that the performance and response of their ship improved when the astromech could anticipate their actions.
The S-Foils
X-wings had pairs of wing-like strike foils, or S-foils, mounted at the rear of the craft; normally the foils on each side were locked flush against each other, but during combat the foils were extended to increase the spread coverage of the laser cannons mounted at the tips of the foils. This gave the craft its distinctive "X"-like appearance when viewed from the front or rear. The cannons on some earlier models could not be fired with the S-foils in locked position.
Weakness
The major weakness of the X-Wing is a blind spot for the pilot located lower aft. Another is its low ordnance payload however, the X-Wing's major role is that of superiority, not interception or heavy assault.
Starfighter Specifications
Overview
Name: X-Wing
Model: T65
Designer: * see Manufacturer
Manufacturer: Incom Corporation
Combat Designation: Superiority Starfighter
Crew: 1 pilot/1 astromech droid
Length: 12.5 m
Width: 10.9 m - S-Foils in Attack Position
Height: 3.6 m - S-Foils in Attack Position
Cargo Capacity: 110 kg (150 kg - T65AC4)
Power System: Vinop O4-Z cryogenic power cells and centrifugal vapor fusion and ionization reactor
Novaldex O4-Z cryogenic power cell
Propulsion System: Incom 4L4 or 4j.4 model fusial thrust engines w/etheric rudders for thrust vectoring (rated at 300 KTU)
Flight Control System: Torplex Rq8.Y flight control system
Navigation: Astromech Droid (10 jumps max)
Microaxial LpM-549 computer system
Maneuverability Rating: 75 DPF
Hyperdrive: Incom GBk-585 hyperdrive unit (class 1)
Koensayr R300-H hyperdrive system (class 1) on early models.
No backup
Sensor Systems:
Fabritech Ans-5d "lock track" full-spectrum transceiver
Melihat "Multi-imager" dedicated energy receptor
Tana Ire electro photo receptor
Fabritech k-blakan mini sensor - rear viewing
Anq 3.6 sensor computer
* Alternate:
PA-9r long ranged phased tachyon detection array
PG-7u short range primary threat analysis grid
Targeting Computer
Fabritech ANq 3.6 tracking computer
IN-344-B "Sightline" holographic imaging system
Weapons
Four Taim and Bak KX9 (or IX4 - later models) laser cannons
Two (Three in XJ model) Krupx MG7 proton torpedo launchers (3 ea.)
Shields/Armor
Forward/Rear Projecting Chempat "Defender" deflector-screen projector (50 SBD)
Titanium armor and serellium Reinforced Alloy Hull (60 RU)
Bertriak "Screamer" active jammer
Special Design Feature
S-Foils
T-65 series:
* T-65 X-wing
* T-65A2 X-wing - Era: New Jedi Order/Twin Suns Squadron
* T-65A3 X-wing - Era: New Jedi Order
* T-65AC4 X-wing - Era: New Republic/150 kg payload, faster sublight speed (A-Wing)
* T-65B X-wing - Era: Rebellion and New Republic
* T-65BR Recon-X "Snoopscoot" - Era: New Republic
* T-65C-A2 X-wing - Era: Rebellion and New Republic
* T-65D-A1 X-wing - Era: New Republic/no astromech droid
* TX-65 Trainer-X - Era: New Republic/two seat trainer
* Tandem X-wing - Era: New Republic/limited use, two seat, seven engine.
XJ series:
* XJ X-wing - Era: New Republic and New Jedi Order
* XJ3 X-wing - Era: New Jedi Order and Legacy/3rd proton torpedo launcher (9), blue lasers (stutter-fire), R7 astromech/27 ABY
* XJ5 ChaseX - .5 meter shorter/35 ABY
* XJ6 X-wing - Second Galactic Civil War/Exclusive to Hardpoint Squadron pilots
* XJ7 X-wing - Era: Legacy/Rogue Squadron ~40 ABY
Other:
* StealthX - derived from XJ3/reduced visibility visually and to sensors.
* X-83 TwinTail starfighter - Era: Legacy/Shuttle grade hull, dual engine, 16 torpedo payload/ 130 ABY
Credits
Edits by:Kreeayt Havok, 2011
Triji Boliv (5307), November 2022
