The TIE Experimental M5, alternatively referred to as the TIE Booster, represented an experimental iteration within the TIE Series and an element of the TIE Experimental Project.
The M5, a starfighter crafted by an Imperial research initiative headed by Director Lenzer under the authority of Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin, was fundamentally a conventional TIE/LN starfighter. However, it featured a sizable booster engine affixed to the rear of the craft.
Due to the addition of the booster, this fighter exhibited a significantly enhanced speed compared to the standard TIE/LN, although its agility was somewhat compromised. Consistent with other TIE Experimentals, the M5 was operated remotely from a customized Beta-class ETR-3 escort transport. This fighter incorporated a hyperdrive that was slaved to distant systems located within the control vessel. A number of TIE M5 units were also outfitted with shield generators, seemingly without any degradation in operational effectiveness.
The initial encounter between Rebel forces and the M5 occurred during an Imperial counterattack directed at the cruiser Liberty. They also participated in the defense of the hangar ship Sardis and space station Obsidian at the central TIE Experimental research installation.
Following the obliteration of the space platform Obsidian, there were no further recorded sightings of TIE Experimental fighters.