Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter

The Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter was a multipurpose starship measuring 12.71 meters in length with a wingspan of 20 meters, designed for both intense battle and longer deep-space missions. It was equipped with a hyperdrive and propelled itself in realspace utilizing two powerful mounted in each of its two wings powered by a system of rear-mounted power generators. These engines were equipped with retro-thrusters which, combined with a forward repulsorlift added to the ship's already impressive maneuverability and gave it a top speed of 1,050 kph. To further aid in accelerating inside planetary atmospheres, the ARC-170's deflector shields dispersed the heat generated by air resistance and enabled it to reach hypersonic speeds.

The ARC-170's main armament were two uncommonly large and powerful forward medium laser cannons located on the underside of its outer wings and strong enough to punch through a capital ship's armor including reinforced durasteel plating. A targeting rangefinder was mounted on each cannon and their muzzle could internally tilt the the laser beam by as little as a few degrees off-axis to allow for extremely precise shots. The starfighter was also armed with two rear-mounted twin blaster cannons which provided a rear firing arc as well as proton torpedo launchers which increased the craft's usefulness in ship-to-ship combat, and added to its already extensive repertoire in its ability to serve as a bomber. During battle, the craft's twin S-foils opened to expose heat sinks and active cooling radiator panels which helped cool the ship and improved its deflector shield's effectiveness.

The ship's heavy nose section featured an impressive sensor package which included both active and passive scanner modules, a gamma ray imaging spectro-photometer and a dedicated energy receptor. The latter was capable of scanning any electromagnetic emissions within its range, from comlink transmissions to laser light, allowing the ARC-170 to operate as a long-range scout. The ship was also equipped with a long-wave communication antenna and a jamming device.

The ARC-170 was piloted by a crew of three—a pilot, co-pilot, and tail gunner, along with an astromech droid which doubled as a navigator. The co-pilot was also manning the forward weapons, although control could be turned over to the pilot. The ship was equipped with consumables for five days, allowing the crew to undertake lonely independent missions deep into hostile territory and extending the Republic's reach beyond carrier ships and fleets.

The ARC-170 starfighter was initially created by Incom/Subpro for the Galactic Republic as a multipurpose starship, and was a successor to the Clone Z-95 Headhunter. It participated in numerous battles during the Clone Wars, such as during the Battle of Malastare, in which it guarded BTL-B Y-wing starfighter/bombers armed with the experimental electro-proton bomb while some of them strafed the Separatist ground forces. They also participated in the Battle of Kamino and the Battle of Sullust. ARC-170 Starfighters also took part in the Battle of Lola Sayu, led by Jedi Masters Saesee Tiin, Adi Gallia, and Kit Fisto, where they engaged vulture droids and droid tri-fighters in space, in order to break the blockade to allow Plo Koon and the Wolfpack to rescue Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka Tano, and Wilhuff Tarkin, who were under attack by Osi Sobeck and his droid escorts.

Later, several Wolfpack ARC-170 Starfighters were parked in Wolffe's Acclamator-class assault ship prior to Wolfpack going on their mission to deliver supplies to the people of Aleen, just after a series of groundquakes rocked the world, though the fighters never took part on the mission. ARC-170 Starfighters and BTL-B Y-wing bombers also participated in a mission to rescue Adi Gallia, who was being held captive by Grievous. The fighters assaulted the dreadnoughts defenses so Plo Koon and his rescue team can board the ship to rescue Adi Gallia, along with C-3PO and R2-D2, who were about to be incinerated to scrap metal by the Separatists. Several ARC-170s also participated in the Battle of Umbara where they were involved in breaking through the Separatist blockade to clear way for General Kenobi, General Skywalker, and their clone forces to retake the planet.

After seeing use during the campaign against the supposed "Admiral Enigma," who was actually the undercover Jedi Master Quinlan Vos, and as part of the second battle of Christophsis, ARC-170s played a major part in the Outer Rim Sieges. During the Battle of Coruscant, Clone Commander "Davijaan, or "Odd Ball," led Clone Flight Squad Seven to protect Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi on their mission to rescue the Supreme Chancellor. Several participated in the capture of Cato Neimoidia and, following the battle, shot down Jedi General Plo Koon when Sheev Palpatine issued Order 66.

When the Clone Wars ended with the Republic's transformation into the Galactic Empire, ARC-170s naturally became part of the Imperial Navy, much like how the clone troopers who flew them became stormtroopers in the Imperial Military. As such, in the immediate aftermath of the war, several ARC-170s were used to keep the a former Jedi outpost known as the Brighthome under Imperial control as clones sorted through its inventory. When Darth Vader arrived at the station, he refused to give Imperial access codes to instead cut down the soldiers aboard, resulting in the ARC-170s moving to engage Vader's starship under the orders of one clone pilot. However, Vader quickly outmaneuvered the ARC-170s and destroyed them, leaving the clones aboard the station to assume he was a Jedi. Vader quickly boarded and cut through all the clones who came against him.

ARC-170s continued to see use in the Imperial Navy at least five years after the proclamation of the New Order as the newer TIE fighter series came into production. Squadrons of ARC-170s were deployed from an older-generation Venator-class Star Destroyer to assist Governor Wilhuff Tarkin and the Executrix during the Campaign at Salient. Several later ambushed Kanan Jarrus when he tried to return to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant despite Master Kenobi's warning not to. It also served as a predecessor of the T-65B X-wing starfighter.

The Alliance to Restore the Republic also acquired a number of ARC-170s during the Galactic Civil War, retrofitting them to Alliance standards. Shara Bey, Thane Kyrell, Braylen Stramm, and Norra Wexley all flew the ARC-170 at some point in the war. The Amidalan rebel cell also acquired several ARC-170s and used them against Darth Vader during the battle on Polis Massa. Jinata Security was known to use Clone Wars–era starfighters in its fleet as of 34 ABY. The ARC-170, V-Wing, and N-1 starfighter were among its fleet of fighters.

The ARC-170 was named after "ART-170," the title of the artwork form by concept artist Ryan Church that inspired the finalized design. Originally, it was referred to simply as a "clone fighter" in the script for Revenge of the Sith.

The HUD seen on Odd Ball's ARC-170 cockpit during the Battle of Coruscant has the same targeting display as Luke Skywalker's X-wing in A New Hope. An ARC-170 is seen on the cover of "Music Rainbow," which was designed for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor but cut from the final product. The design for the album's cover, however, would later be featured in The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

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