The IRD starfighters, an acronym standing for **Intercept Reconnaissance Defense, represented a fast and well-armed starfighter utilized by the Corporate Sector's Picket Fleet.
Equipped with potent engines, dual laser cannons, and the most advanced pilot ejection system available at the time, the IRD lacked a hyperdrive. Consequently, the Authority IRD necessitated transport via larger craft, such as the Marauder-class corvette or the Victory-class Star Destroyer.
The Authority IRD fighter was engineered by the Corporate Sector Authority to fulfill diverse mission requirements for the Picket Fleet. Initial Authority IRD versions exhibited poor aerodynamics, resulting in substandard atmospheric combat performance, leading many pilots to refuse engagements within atmosphere. This prompted the creation of the Authority IRD-A starfighter, specifically designed for atmospheric engagements. The IRD-A incorporated a carefully shaped fuselage that directed airflow through a vector stabilizer, boosting both maneuverability and velocity; it also carried concussion missiles, rendering it a more formidable adversary than its original counterpart.
During Han Solo's tenure in the Corporate Sector, Solo and a band of outlaw techs confronted the new Authority IRD-A fighters, successfully defeating them using early Z-95 Headhunters. However, this triumph remained an exception, as subsequent, more successful encounters motivated the Authority to initiate a full-scale production run of the IRD-A.