Colin Cantwell's artwork of the Sith fighter
The Sith fighter, alternatively referred to as Imperial attack craft, were starfighters deployed from various Imperial warships to assault nearby planets. These fighters showcased a streamlined, flat, triangular form, featuring a black cockpit and red accents along the wings and tailfins, although certain versions displayed a cockpit window based on a prism.
The Sith fighter, also known as the Imperial attack craft, represents an unrealized design conceived by Colin Cantwell for the original Star Wars movie. This design predates the TIE fighters that ultimately served as the Galactic Empire's primary attack spacecraft. Cantwell revealed the design alongside his initial concept for the Imperial Cantwell-class Arrestor Cruiser in Solo: A Star Wars Story via Instagram. Cantwell confirmed that NASA designs from the time he created the concept art influenced the attack craft's design when questioned about the Delta Wing type's influence. The design needed to facilitate atmospheric entry for planetary invasions. It is a misconception that the design was inspired by the F-117 Nighthawk aircraft, as the latter's development began 7 years after Cantwell's design and its public unveiling occurred nearly twice that long afterward.