Tech Turn
The "Tech Turn" describes a starship tactic where the pilot accelerates to a significant velocity in their craft, then cuts the engines to execute a quick, sharp turn, followed by re-engaging the engines to rapidly accelerate again. This maneuver earned its informal name from Clone Force 99's Tech, as dubbed by the enhanced clone Omega, though Tech himself disputed that this was the official name. It was executed in 19 BBY by Tech during a mission on the planet Ryloth aimed at rescuing leaders of the Free Ryloth Movement. Later, around 18 BBY, Omega demonstrated it while Tech was teaching her to fly Clone Force 99's Omicron-class attack shuttle Marauder on the world of Pabu. Furthermore, Ace Squadron pilot Torra Doza utilized this technique in 34 ABY during the Battle of Barabesh.
Description
The "Tech Turn" refers to a starship piloting technique where the pilot disengages the thrusters of their vessel to achieve a swift turn without any thrust influence, subsequently reactivating the thrusters to rapidly exit the turn. The enhanced clone Omega gave the maneuver its nickname, naming it in honor of her Clone Force 99 comrade and flight instructor, Tech.
History
In 19 BBY, Tech employed this maneuver during an attack on an Imperial doonium refinery. The purpose of this attack was to create a diversion for Imperial forces, allowing Clone Force 99 members Hunter and Echo to extract the Free Ryloth Movement leaders, Cham and Eleni Syndulla, from the [Capitol](/article/capitol] building situated in Ryloth's [capital](/article/capital], Lessu City. During Tech's execution of the maneuver while piloting the Omicron-class attack shuttle Marauder, Wrecker, another member of Clone Force 99, utilized the shuttle's rear turret to destroy numerous turrets positioned at the refinery.
Around 18 BBY, Tech tasked Omega with performing the maneuver in the Marauder during a training flight above the remote island on the planet Pabu. Omega expressed her excitement and surprise at the instruction, referencing her nickname for the maneuver, which prompted Tech to respond that while "Tech Turn" wasn't the official designation, he appreciated the name. He then instructed her to proceed with the maneuver before he reconsidered, but Omega quickly began accelerating, cutting him off. She maneuvered the Marauder past the island, deactivated the thrusters for a sharp turn, and then reactivated them, sending the Marauder flying over the island again at high speed. After the maneuver, Tech praised Omega's improving piloting skills while the villagers below cheered and waved at the Marauder.
During a mission in 34 ABY to rescue Tamara Ryvora, a former resident of the supertanker fuel depot Colossus and a First Order defector, Ace Squadron pilot Torra Doza executed the maneuver in her racing starfighter Blue Ace. This was done to quickly turn and eliminate a TIE/fo space superiority fighter that was pursuing the R-series astromech droid R1-J5, nicknamed "Bucket," who was piloting the Fireball racing starfighter during the dogfight.
Behind the scenes
The Tech Turn debuted in "The Escape," episodes eighteen and nineteen of Star Wars Resistance's second season, which were first broadcast on Disney Channel on January 26, 2020. The maneuver was first referred to as the "Tech Turn" in "Tipping Point," episode fourteen of Star Wars: The Bad Batch's second season, which premiered on Disney+ on March 22, 2023.