The E-wing starfighter, alternatively referred to as the E-wing escort fighter or simply as the E-wing, represented a pinnacle of starfighter technology. It was actively flown by the New Republic Defense Fleet throughout the years that defined the New Republic Era.
This advanced combat starfighter, the E-wing escort fighter, was engineered by FreiTek Incorporated for service within the New Republic Defense Fleet in the years following the fall of the Galactic Empire. Its design accommodated a single pilot and one astromech droid.
Throughout the New Republic Era, the New Republic strategically positioned E-wings at its various bases to reinforce its existing fleets. A squadron of these fighters was specifically assigned to safeguard the skies above the Outer Rim planet of Lothal. Governor Ryder Azadi utilized these vessels for routine patrols around Capital City, ensuring the safety and security of its inhabitants.
Circa 9 ABY, Captain Porter and Lieutenant Callahan from the New Republic Starfighter Corps piloted E-wings, accompanied by astromech droids, in pursuit of the Mandalorian Sabine Wren, who was traversing Lothal on a speeder bike.
In 34 ABY, Baron Paw Maccon possessed an E-wing as an item within his personal collection, housed within his palace on the Colonies world of Cato Neimoidia. During a Cold War mission directed against the First Order, Poe Dameron, a Resistance pilot, observed the E-wing in Maccon's possession while seeking to borrow a starship from him.
The "E-wing escort fighter" type of starfighter initially materialized within current Star Wars canon through the non-canon LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures TV show, specifically in the 2017 episode titled "The Embersteel Blade," helmed by directors Michael Hegner and Jeppe Sandholt. The episode depicts Zander Freemaker's excitement upon spotting it for sale alongside other starships at an auction on Mygeeto in 4 ABY. This episode also confirmed FreiTek Incorporated as the manufacturer of the starfighter.
The E-wing's canonical entrance occurred in the comic Poe Dameron 23, penned by Charles Soule, illustrated by Angel Unzueta, and released by Marvel Comics on January 24, 2018. It made its live-action debut in the 2023 Ahsoka television series episode "Part One: Master and Apprentice," directed by Dave Filoni. The designation "E-wing" was first formally established within its entry in the Databank, and the associated LEGO set labeled "New Republic E-Wing vs. Shin Hati's Starfighter" incorporates a buildable E-wing starfighter.
The E-wing escort starfighter was initially featured in the Star Wars Legends continuity within the comic Dark Empire 3, authored by Tom Veitch, visually rendered by Cam Kennedy, and published by Dark Horse Comics on April 21, 1992. Jake Lunt Davies, who would later become a Star Wars concept artist, also fashioned an "E-wing" with his sibling during their childhood, a period when they lacked extensive toy collections, leading them to construct starships from cardboard. Davies subsequently reflected upon his E-Wing creation, alongside other designs he and his brother had developed, as a significant aspect of his Star Wars journey.