The Bes'uliik, a state-of-the-art starfighter, was the brainchild of MandalMotors in the aftermath of the Yuuzhan Vong War. Its initial prototypes were integrated into the Mandalorians' forces around 40 ABY, amidst the Second Galactic Civil War.
Originally, the Bes'uliik was engineered to accommodate a crew of three, or alternatively, a pair of crew members with an augmented payload of weaponry and fuel. However, the earliest operational prototypes were flown solo by pilots. The design philosophy emphasized adaptability, enabling it to function as both a planetary assault bomber and a long-range interceptor. The airframe stretched fifteen meters in length, with a wingspan slightly exceeding half of that. Its outer shell presented a streamlined, minimalist "V"-shaped profile, complemented by a squared-off tail section and a dark gray coating, incorporating sophisticated baffled exhausts to minimize its radar signature. The quartet of blasters, alongside a pair of supplementary weapons hardpoints, were strategically positioned on the underside of the fuselage. Access to the cockpit was facilitated via a top-hinged hatch for entry and bottom-edged for ejection, in addition to side hatches, which on the prototype, featured the mythosaur emblem stenciled in a lighter shade of gray. Internally, the cockpit boasted cutting-edge display technologies and control mechanisms responsive to the pilot's gaze. Moreover, the fighter possessed the unique capability to pivot vertically on its tail section, enabling vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) within a compact footprint of approximately eight by four meters. As the design matured, a layer of protective beskar armor, the famed Mandalorian iron, was incorporated. Designers debated whether to integrate it as an external skin or as an integral component of a laminated composite airframe. The inaugural prototype showcased an ultra-thin beskar outer layer, though the feasibility of a more substantial layer of solid hull armor was also explored. While this would add weight, there was optimism that a budding partnership with the Verpine engineers from the Roche asteroid field could lead to a technology exchange, allowing for the lightening of the underlying airframe structure to offset the added mass or enhance fuel efficiency.
The Bes'uliik project began under the designation Kyr'galaar. It was conceived following the Yuuzhan Vong War as an experimental prototype, amalgamating the latest innovations from MandalMotors' design teams—a cost-effective strategy given their focus on re-establishing production of established models. In 40 ABY, the discovery of a beskar deposit 100 kilometers north of Enceri presented the opportunity to fortify the new fighter with the resilient armor. Goran Beviin, Mand'alor Boba Fett's lieutenant, initially suggested this to Fett shortly after the find. Jir Yomaget of MandalMotors formally proposed it when he presented the updated design to Fett soon thereafter. Around this time, the name was apparently changed to Bes'uliik, translating to "iron beast," paying homage to the ancient Basilisk war droids of Mandalorian lore (whose name in Mando'a was also Bes'uliik). Fett and Yomaget agreed that export models would feature reduced armor and capabilities, while half of the production run would be reserved for the "defense" of Mandalore and the Mandalore sector, retaining the prototype's full potential, potentially with even thicker armor.
The initial Bes'uliik was rapidly finalized and subjected to testing, followed shortly by the completion of four space-worthy (and combat-ready) prototypes. These fighters were then deployed as a combat squadron, personally led by Fett, to obliterate factories on Murkhana in a retaliatory strike on behalf of their Verpine allies—and to showcase the new fighter's capabilities to prospective clients. Mandalorian confidence in the fighter was evident in Fett's advance notification to Murkhana of their intended targets. Initially, Murkhana responded with standard fighter squadrons, soon realizing the ships' power, and escalating to a full fleet bombardment. Most shots proved ineffective, allowing Fett and his team to complete the raid with minimal damage. Luke Skywalker flew a Bes'uliik during the Battle of Uroro Station in 40 ABY against Jacen Solo's personal Star Destroyer.
Years later, Mirta Gev commanded several squadrons of this starfighter under contract to protect a monolith in the Chiloon Rift, controlled by two Columi brothers. Some of these fighters were destroyed by the Jedi.