The RZ-1 A-wing interceptor, alternatively referred to as the RZ-1 A-wing starfighter, was a starfighter with a wedge-like shape. It was produced by Kuat Systems Engineering, drawing its design from the Republic starfighters used during the Clone Wars. Evolving from the initial R-22 prototype, the early rebellion embraced this fighter to combat the Galactic Empire. These RZ-1s saw combat throughout the Age of the Empire and the Galactic Civil War. Following the Battle of Endor, the improved RZ-2 model superseded the RZ-1. The RZ-2 then participated in the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order approximately thirty years later.
Kuat Systems Engineering engineered the RZ-1 A-wing starfighter as a swift and potent strike craft. Inspired by the Republic's starfighters of the Clone Wars, and originating from the R-22 prototype, the RZ-1 A-wing came about as Rebel engineers aimed to enhance the original's speed, firepower, and defenses.
When modifying the A-wing, the Rebels' initial goal was to include a hyperdrive. They then found it possible to replace the original sublight engines on the rear with two significantly larger and more powerful "Event Horizon" models, making it even faster than the TIE/IN interceptor. The original hull plating, weaponry, and deflector shield were also exchanged for lighter materials and components. The RZ-1, essentially a cockpit attached to two engines, possessed such speed and agility that piloting it posed a challenge, even for individuals with Jedi-like reflexes.
This difficulty stemmed from the lack of space to accommodate an astromech droid within the A-wing's compact hull. Operating the RZ-1 demanded precise control of the dorsal and ventral stabilizers, as well as the thrust-vector controls integrated into the engines and the thruster-control jets located between the engines, all without astromech assistance. As a result, only the most skilled pilots could maintain control of an A-wing. Despite its renowned speed, the ship was criticized for frequent malfunctions, including thruster decalibrations and componentized power failures. In addition to requiring more post-flight maintenance than any other Rebel fighter, A-wings were known for their unusually confined cockpit space.
The A-wing was armed with a pair of laser cannons and could carry as many as twelve concussion missiles. Though standard Borstel Galactic Defense models, the laser cannons were mounted on a specialized vectored cannon system, enabling a wider firing range during flight. Some A-wing mounts were altered to allow complete 360° rotation, but this increased the likelihood of jamming, particularly when firing rearward. Each cannon was also linked to a low-powered targeting laser.
The A-wing incorporated a Sirplex deflector shield generator, with the projector positioned on the small blister behind the transparisteel canopy, and it utilized lightweight durasteel armor to protect its titanium alloy frame. Despite their weight-conscious selection, these defenses offered surprising pilot protection. In one instance, a smart mine exploded less than twelve meters from an A-Wing, generating enough force to devastate a city block. Although the starfighter was destroyed and required extensive repairs over several days, the pilot was rescued without injuries. The opening in the A-wing's reinforced front wedge served as a towing point when needed.
The original R-22's transparisteel canopy was attached with a hinge, allowing it to lift and tilt back for the pilot. While some RZ-1s retained this feature, others were modified to have the canopy slide forward and back on special tracks. Many pilots favored this system, but it was more prone to mechanical issues than the simple hinge and demanded more maintenance.
The A-wing also had a 4X-Phantom short-range sensor jammer A-wing sensor jammers were potent devices that drew power directly from the engines. While larger vessels' sensors could penetrate the interference, they could completely disrupt the sensors and communications of other starfighters.
The A-wing excelled in missions demanding speed, such as hit-and-run attacks, precision strikes against capital ships, and intelligence gathering. A skilled pilot could emerge from hyperspace, activate the fighter's advanced suite of imagers and sensors, swiftly circle the target, and disappear back into hyperspace while enemy ground crews struggled to launch fighters.
During the early rebellion against the Galactic Empire, a trainer version of the A-wing, known as the RZ-1T, was created to train aspiring rebel pilots. This model included a seat for an instructor in addition to the pilot's seat.
The RZ-1 originated from the R-22 prototype, which was designed as a replacement for the Republic's Aethersprite starfighter. After being rejected by the Empire, Rebel cells acquired several R-22s and stripped them down to enhance their speed and acceleration, countering the Empire's new TIE/IN interceptor. These RZ-1s played a crucial role in the Alliance's victory at Endor.
Early deployments of the RZ-1 included use by forces secretly allied with Bail Organa one year after Order 66. Years later, a group of A-wing fighters was part of Commander Jun Sato's Phoenix Cell, which was part of a larger rebellion.
Around two years before the Battle of Yavin, during the early rebellion, an RZ-1T trainer was used by Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger and Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus to save their friends from former Sith Lord Maul, delivering him a Sith holocron at Vizsla Keep 09.
During the Galactic Civil War, RZ-1 A-wings were deployed by the Alliance in initial engagements against Imperial forces, quickly proving their effectiveness. As a result, the Alliance acquired and modified a number of A-wings, removing heavy weaponry and shields to enhance their speed for combating newer Imperial TIE fighters. These modified A-wings used by the rebels were even faster than the TIE/IN interceptor. Following the evacuation of Echo Base, some A-wings were assigned to the Fourth Division at Rendezvous Point Delta-Three in the Mid Rim Territories, where rebel forces gathered and awaited stragglers. However, Commander Ellian Zahra's Hunter Fleet discovered and attacked the division, resulting in A-wings, including Shara Bey's A-wing from Green Squadron, attempting to defend the Fourth Division, enabling their escape to Backup Rendezvous Point Gamma-Nine.
Subsequently, Bey piloted her A-wing within Starlight Squadron, joined by fellow A-wing pilot L'ulo L'ampar. A-wings were deployed by the Alliance Fleet during the Battle of Endor. Under Lando Calrissian's command, Green Squadron engaged the Second Death Star. After Han Solo's strike team disabled the Death Star's shield generator, two A-wing pilots entered the Death Star but diverted to draw TIE fighters away from Calrissian. Green Leader Arvel Crynyd was struck by enemy fire and crashed into the bridge of the Super Star Destroyer Executor, causing its destruction. A-wings also saw action during the Battle of Jakku.
Following the RZ-1's significant contribution to the Battle of Endor, Kuat revived its previously shelved prototype to develop the RZ-2, standardizing years of modifications and streamlining the chassis for even greater speed. The Resistance then used these RZ-2s during their war against the First Order.
The A-wing is featured in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. Ralph McQuarrie designed it, originally in blue, but the color had to be changed due to the limitations of bluescreen technology at the time. The original blue color scheme of the A-wings reappears on the A-wings of Phoenix Group in the second season of Star Wars Rebels.
In Star Wars Legends continuity, the craft was designed and deployed after the Battle of Yavin, but its appearance in Ahsoka places it in service eighteen years before the Battle of Yavin. The Legends backstory served partly as an in-universe explanation for why the A-wing fighters created for Return of the Jedi did not participate in the attack on the first Death Star. However, in the new Star Wars canon, A-wings are featured in material taking place well before the Battle of Yavin and have been given earlier origins. The production team for the Star Wars Rebels television series explained that the intention is to depict different rebel cells using different fighters in different parts of the galaxy. The A-wings appear as the primary star fighters of the Phoenix Squadron in Rebels, while the rebel cell led by Jan Dodonna and portrayed in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope used primarily X-wings and Y-wings. The Battle of Endor, intended to show the first time the entire Rebel Alliance comes together, therefore includes both sets of ships. This allowed the Rebels producers to do more with the A-wings, which were not shown in action very much in Return of the Jedi.