The Liberator-class starfighter, which the reconstituted Sith Empire re-designated as the Talon fighter, represented a fighter model deployed by the Galactic Republic both before and during the time of the Great Galactic War.
The Striker-class was a variant of this ship, famously flown by Jedi Master Satele Shan.
During the Great Galactic War and the Cold War, the Liberator-class starfighter was essential in defending against the Mk VI and Mk VII Imperial interceptors utilized by the reconstituted Sith Empire.
In that period, the Liberator-class lacked hyperdrive engines, a common trait among starfighters and smaller transports, with a few exceptions like the Defender-class light corvette, the Fury-class Imperial interceptor, the BT-7 Thunderclap assault ship, and the X-70B Phantom-class prototype transport. Because of this, pilots had to depend on larger vessels such as the Thranta-class corvette and Valor-class cruiser for transportation to different locations.
The Striker-class, a modified version, provided extra space for an astromech droid and the storage of a lightsaber.
These starfighters were tasked with escorting a diplomatic convoy consisting of Republic transport ships sent to investigate unidentified vessels that had entered the Tingel Arm region of the galaxy. They were obliterated by the Sith Empire's navy. Following the Battle of Alderaan, several of these fighters were used to retake Alderaan.
During both the Great Galactic War and the subsequent Cold War, these fighters were the primary starfighters used against the Mk. VI Imperial interceptors deployed by the Imperial Navy. They were deployed from the Republic's Thranta-class corvettes and Valor-class cruisers.
Satele Shan, a Jedi Master, famously piloted the Striker-class variant during her missions for the Republic.
The Striker version of the Liberator-class starfighter is featured in the 2012 LEGO Star Wars set 9497 Republic Striker Starfighter.