T-65B X-wing starfighter

The T-65B X-wing starfighter, also designated as the T-65B space superiority fighter or the T-65B X-wing multi-role starfighter, was an Incom Corporation product. Its design prioritized excellence across all facets of starfighter engagements. It boasted impressive maneuverability, robust shielding, and a minimized profile to reduce its vulnerability to enemy fire. A unique attribute of the X-wing was its proficiency in atmospheric flight, exceeding the capabilities of the TIE fighter, which otherwise possessed superior speed and agility in the vacuum of space. Due to its dimensions, the X-wing received the classification of a snub-fighter starfighter. The starship's mass was 180,000 kilograms.

This spacecraft incorporated a pair of wing-like strike foils, known as S-foils, positioned on opposing sides at its rear. Typically, these foils remained locked together, forming a flush alignment. However, during combat scenarios, the foils deployed outward, creating the distinctive "X" shape when viewed head-on or from behind. An S-foil servo actuator, situated at the starfighter's rear, governed the movement of the S-foils. When the S-foils were extended into attack position, the craft's firing arc expanded compared to when they were retracted.

The cockpit featured flight controls akin to those found in the T-16 skyhopper, an airspeeder also manufactured by Incom Corporation, along with a targeting computer equipped with a holographic imaging system. Beneath the X-wing, a cargo bay, a repulsorlift, and three fortified landing struts provided protection during rough landings and takeoffs. Distinguishing stripes on the rear of the S-foils served as identifiers for individual craft.

When deployed in attack position, the S-foils enhanced the X-wing's stability during atmospheric flight. Despite a listed maximum atmospheric speed of 1,050 kilometers per hour, the X-wing could attain supersonic velocities. In fact, with its engines operating at maximum thrust, an X-wing could achieve such high speeds that atmospheric friction caused it to glow red-hot. However, pushing the starfighter to these limits placed immense stress on both the craft and the pilot. After only a few minutes of maneuvering at these extreme speeds, systems began to fail, and even the cannons risked melting due to the intense heat. When flying at high altitudes within a planet's upper atmosphere, an X-wing could reach speeds that induced dizziness and shimmering vision in the pilot.

The X-wing's arsenal included four Taim & Bak KX9 laser cannons, each affixed to the tip of a wing. These cannons could be fired individually, in alternating pairs, or simultaneously. By default, the lasers were calibrated to converge at a point 500 meters ahead of the X-wing. Additionally, two Krupx MG7 proton torpedo launchers were integrated into recesses along the fuselage's underside, positioned on either side of the T-65B's centerline.

A deflector shield generator, housed in the X-wing's rear, generated a protective energy field adjustable around the craft using a Chempat "Defender" deflector shield projector. This system incorporated shield projectors along the S-foils' leading edges, which, when in attack position, augmented the protective field's coverage. A Bertriak "Screamer" sensor jammer offered supplementary defense by disrupting the sensors of enemy starfighters and incoming guided munitions. Furthermore, the X-wing could employ its laser cannons to intercept and destroy enemy missiles.

Located centrally within the fuselage, the armored cockpit housed the single pilot, safeguarded by a transparisteel canopy. This canopy provided a broader field of view compared to that of a TIE fighter and was designed to automatically polarize, shielding the pilot from harmful light. Explosive charges were installed to jettison the canopy in the event that the Guidenhauser ejector seat needed to be activated. Adaptable for use by most species, the pressurized cockpit offered life support for up to one week and featured an inertial compensator to mitigate the effects of high-g accelerations on the pilot.

The T-65B was propelled by four 4L4 fusial thrust engines, mounted on its wings adjacent to the fuselage. Certain X-wings were equipped with 4j.4 fusial thrust engines, which were nearly identical to the 4L4 models. These engines endowed the X-wing with exceptional maneuverability, achieved through a combination of factors: differential thrust vectoring among the four engines for trajectory adjustments, high-mass electromagnetic gyroscopes integrated into each engine for executing tight turns, and the capability to fire retro-thrust forward through the turbine nozzles. Infrared suppressors were employed to minimize the heat signature of the exhaust.

At the heart of the X-wing was a Novaldex 04-Z cryogenic power generator, situated in the ship's core. Cryogenic capacitors within the S-foils provided additional power storage for the engines. Power couplings facilitated the distribution and balancing of energy among the various systems.

For long-range travel, the X-wing incorporated a hyperdrive system comprising four GBk-585 hyperdrive motivators. An astromech droid served as the X-wing's navigation system, interfacing through a socket located near the engines, above and behind the cockpit. The droid assisted with calculations, stored up to 10 hyperspace coordinates, and performed repairs on the craft. It could dynamically adjust power levels among different systems multiple times per second to aid the pilot during combat. If necessary, the droid could assume complete control of the X-wing, with or without a pilot present. In emergency situations, a separator charge could eject the droid clear of the craft.

The T-65B's sensor suite resided within the X-wing's nose cone. This suite, a Carbanti transceiver package, consisted of a Fabritech ANs-5d "lock track" full-spectrum transceiver, a Melihat "Multi Imager" dedicated energy receptor, and a Tana Ire Electro-photo receptor. These components relayed information directly to the targeting computer, which could track up to 1,000 sublight objects and acquire 20 targets simultaneously. Additionally, a Fabritech K-blakan mini sensor scanned the area directly behind the X-wing to detect sensor sweeps and approaching craft.

The T-65B X-wing starfighter was conceived by its creators as a fighter possessing the necessary velocity and firepower to engage Imperial Star Destroyers, a goal it successfully achieved. It not only became a cornerstone of the Rebel Alliance Starfighter Corps but also integrated insights gained from evaluating the performance of winged starfighters used during the Clone Wars, such as the widely used Z-95 Headhunter and the formidable ARC-170 starfighter.

Ironically, the initial design of the X-wing by Incom Corporation was intended for use by the Imperial Navy. The Galactic Empire had requested a new, resilient, single-pilot starfighter to augment its expanding fleet, a requirement that Incom sought to fulfill. Drawing inspiration from the Z-95 and ARC-170, Incom engineers developed a prototype that blended elements of both earlier designs. Following Imperial approval, production of the new X-wing line commenced, only to be abruptly halted. The Empire cited newly discovered concerns regarding the starfighter as the reason for the cessation. However, the true motive was that Sienar Fleet Systems and their considerably more economical TIE series starfighters had supplanted Incom's position. Faced with an abundance of unsold, costly starfighters, Incom welcomed the overtures of the Rebel Alliance to utilize the X-wing.

Throughout the Galactic Civil War, the Rebel Alliance relied heavily on the X-wing against the Galactic Empire. While initially employed in a general capacity, X-wing starfighters eventually became exclusively associated with (and symbolic of) the Rebellion. To evade Imperial detection, the Rebellion ingeniously constructed its T-65Bs in clandestine drydocks and hangars, far from the scrutiny of Imperial spies.

A squadron was stationed at their concealed stronghold on Yavin 4. X-wings, alongside Y-wings, participated in the Battle of Scarif, supporting the rebel fleet above the planet to facilitate Rogue One's acquisition of the Death Star plans. During the Battle of Yavin, Luke Skywalker was assigned to an X-wing for the engagement, with the objective of destroying the approaching Death Star. Despite the loss of numerous X-wing pilots, Skywalker successfully launched his proton torpedoes into the battlestation's exhaust port, triggering a chain reaction that resulted in its destruction. Wedge Antilles was the sole surviving X-wing pilot besides Skywalker.

In addition to the Rebel Alliance, the Partisans, a loosely organized group led by Saw Gerrera, also employed X-wings, albeit with distinctive paint schemes reflecting their affiliation. Several of these X-wings were utilized by the Cavern Angels, as well as Edrio.

Shortly after the Battle of Yavin, the mercenary Saponza and his partner engaged in training X-wing pilots. They employed a specially modified astromech droid to attract womp rats, and a team of 20 X-wings was deployed to assess the pilots' capabilities. During the war, a contingent of the Alliance starfighter corps, including three X-wings, was dispatched under the command of Tan Leader to the planet Tiferep Major to assist with a planetary evacuation. Tan Leader piloted an X-wing, only for both the pilot and their starfighter to be destroyed by Darth Vader's lightsaber.

The Alliance also transported X-wings to their new base, Echo Base on Hoth. These X-wings were launched during the Empire's invasion of the base to safeguard the escaping transports. Then-rookie pilot Adon Fox was the only X-wing pilot tasked with protecting his wife's transport, but it was unable to evade the Imperial blockade. After his escape, Skywalker diverged from the designated rendezvous point to seek out Jedi Master Yoda on Dagobah, where he underwent training to become a Jedi. Subsequently, he piloted his X-wing to Cloud City on Bespin to rescue his comrades.

Skywalker later retrieved his X-wing from Bespin during a subsequent mission to Cloud City. For the decisive Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance amassed its entire fleet to assault the DS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station. X-wings were assigned to Red Squadron under the command of Wedge Antilles. Despite suffering losses, Antilles utilized his fighter to destroy the battle station's power regulator, contributing to its ultimate destruction.

X-wing fighters also participated in the Battle of Jakku, where at least one fighter was downed, its wreckage remaining on the desert surface for nearly three decades.

In the aftermath of the Galactic Empire's downfall, later X-wing models, such as the T-70 X-wing starfighter, eventually found their way into the hands of the Resistance, while the T-85 X-wing saw service within the New Republic Defense Fleet. Despite the widespread replacement of T-65s with newer models, Luke Skywalker, now a Jedi Master, continued to pilot Red Five as his primary starship.

During his efforts to train a new generation of Jedi, Skywalker suffered a setback when the dark side adept Snoke swayed Skywalker's nephew, Ben Solo, to the dark side of the Force. Renaming himself "Kylo Ren," Solo, along with the Knights of Ren, eliminated all of Skywalker's students and set fire to his Jedi temple. In his quest to locate the First Jedi Temple, Skywalker embarked on a solitary exile, traveling aboard his X-wing. Upon reaching Ahch-To, he intentionally grounded his X-wing in a shallow inlet, stranding himself on the island, and severed his connection to the Force, until Rey arrived to become his final apprentice before his passing and subsequent merging with the Force.

Rey later deliberately crash-landed Kylo Ren's TIE whisper on Ahch-To, emulating Luke's actions. However, his spirit used the Force to lift his old X-wing out of the water for her to travel to Exegol and then return to the Resistance base on Ajan Kloss after the war ended.

The X-wing is featured in the original trilogy. Its sound effect was created using the sound of a passing artillery shell. The initial concept art by Ralph McQuarrie depicted the X-Wing with two engines splitting into four smaller engines on each wing when the S-foils were extended. This design was later incorporated into the Z-95 Headhunter.

Originally, Red Squadron was intended to be named Blue Squadron. However, limitations in bluescreen technology during the late 1970s presented challenges with the blue markings, leading to a change in the squadron's name and color. The original designation was preserved in the A New Hope novelization. The first X-wing model was constructed in 1975 by Lorne Peterson, Grant McCune, and [Steve Gawley] as Blue One, prior to the squadron name change. This model was subsequently repainted as Red Two.

ILM created several models, including both "hero" and "pyro" models (simplified versions of the "hero" X-wings designed for explosion effects), for the original film. Among these models, at least eight of Red Squadron's X-wings were represented: Red One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Twelve have been confirmed, with the eighth remaining unidentified. Red Four and Six were pyro models destroyed during filming, while only the wings of Red Five have survived. The hero model for Red Three is the only known intact model today, and the fates of the others are unknown.

Despite the number of models produced, they were used in effects shots with little regard for continuity (for example, Red One appearing in the trench alongside Red Five). When the effects teams on the Special Editions created new footage for the Battle of Yavin using CGI, they only recreated two sets of markings—those of Red Two and Five—and applied them to all X-wings in the revised battle scenes.

For the Star Wars Anthology Series film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the X-wings at the Rebel base were brought to life using a combination of full-size props and cutouts, similar to the techniques used for the fighters in the original Star Wars film.

A newer iteration of the X-wing, known as the T-70 X-wing starfighter, appears in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. With its wings retracted, the craft bears a closer resemblance to Ralph McQuarrie's original concept sketches than the effects models from the final films. However, the wings on this version scissor open along the span rather than splitting across the chord as in the original design, resulting in distinct forward and aft wings, with the forward lower wings being somewhat narrower in chord than the aft upper wings.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi: The Visual Dictionary stated that Luke Skywalker had salvaged an S-foil from the X-wing, repurposing it as a door for his hut. This claim is seemingly contradicted by Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker, which depicts his X-wing with its S-foils still intact.