The TIE boarding craft, a specialized version of the TIE series from Sienar Fleet Systems, functioned as an armored shuttle. The Galactic Empire utilized this craft for both troop transportation and for boarding operations.
The TIE boarding craft's architecture drew inspiration from the earlier TIE/sa bomber. Both shared a design featuring twin elongated pods situated side-by-side between "bent" wings. However, the boarding craft's dimensions differed slightly; it measured 7.6 meters in length, 9.9 meters in width, and 5.9 meters in height, making it a bit taller and wider, but shorter than the TIE/sa bomber. A key distinction lay in the pod functionality: while the bomber's port-side pod housed ordnance, the boarding craft's port-side pod was designed to accommodate passengers, specifically six seated and four standing, who used handholds on the ceiling and walls for stability. The boarding craft also featured a retractable boarding ramp and a large, retractable docking claw with a military-grade laser cutter at the front of the port-side pod, enabling the crew to breach and enter captured or disabled vessels. The starboard pod, equipped with a transparisteel viewport, contained the cockpit for a single pilot and could also accommodate ten passengers. The extended wings supplied power to the enhanced lift systems.
Propelled by P-s4 twin ion engines, the TIE boarding craft achieved a maximum speed of 850 kilometers per hour within an atmosphere and 90 megalights per hour in space. Its peak acceleration reached 2,380 G.
The TIE boarding craft possessed substantial firepower. It was armed with a pair of L-s1 laser cannons, a pair of H-s1 heavy laser cannons, and missile/warhead launchers capable of deploying various munitions. A T-s8 targeting computer aided the pilot in accurately targeting these weapons.
Although lacking a hyperdrive, the TIE boarding craft included an N-s4 Navcon navigation computer, an ejector seat, a life support system, and sufficient consumables for two standard days of operation.
The primary function of the TIE boarding craft was to transport up to 20 stormtroopers (equivalent to two squads) from an Imperial Star Destroyer to another starship or a space station. Its integrated laser-cutter and claw enabled the troops to forcibly board other vessels.
Following the approval of the TIE/sa bomber, the Navy of the Galactic Empire tasked Sienar Fleet Systems with developing an armored shuttle. While Navy officials initially suggested repurposing existing bombers, Sienar argued that such modifications would compromise the craft's structural integrity. Nevertheless, the company designed a boarding craft that closely resembled the TIE bomber, aiming to satisfy the Navy's preferences.
Upon its introduction, the TIE boarding craft was quickly adopted by the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order's Imperial Office of Customs. In 5 BBY, a TIE boarding craft launched from a Cantwell-class Arrestor Cruiser in a failed attempt to board Luthen Rael's Fondor Haulcraft, but was swiftly destroyed. Between 2 BBY and 0 BBY, three of these vessels were stationed in the hangar bay of Fortress Vader. After the Battle of Scarif, two TIE boarding craft, along with two TIE/ln space superiority starfighters, escorted Darth Vader's shuttle to board the MC75 Star Cruiser Profundity in an effort to recover the stolen Death Star plans. Shortly after, in the Tatoo system, Vader employed a TIE boarding craft to breach an airlock on the Tantive IV and board the vessel.
During the war between the First Order and the Resistance, Korfé Bennux-Ai, an arms dealer, was selling older spacecraft, including at least one TIE boarding craft.