A TIE/LN starfighter
The TIE series, which is also referred to as the TIE-series, TIE line, or even the TIE family, represented a diverse group of starfighters and various vehicles. These were all products of Sienar Fleet Systems, and encompassed a range of distinct models.
The general design of TIE series starfighters involved a cockpit pod, typically spherical or cylindrical, connected to a set of solar panels. This arrangement gave them an appearance similar to a bow tie, which contributed to their name.
This design philosophy extended to vehicles beyond starfighters, where the standard cockpit module served as a central element in land or sea-based craft. The interior of a TIE cockpit was not known for its spaciousness or luxury, even when compared to other starfighters. TIE fighters were engineered to include only the essential components for operation, essentially comprising a cockpit with forward-mounted weapons and a rear-mounted engine. This streamlined design facilitated rapid and cost-effective production and replacement.
The name "TIE" originated from the SIE-TIE twin ion engine, which was presented to the public in 22 BBY by Raith Sienar. It is possible that Prototypes of TIE series starfighters underwent testing as early as 29 BBY. As early as 19 BBY, just a week after the establishment of the Galactic Empire, TIE fighters were deployed on Imperial Victory-class Star Destroyers, such as the Strikefast. The initial launching systems were prone to failure and required multiple redesigns. The specific nature of their engines also meant that the TIE series emitted a characteristic sound during flight.
All starfighters within the TIE series featured a minimum of two ion engine outlets, connected to solar array wings and a solar ionization reactor.
With the exception of advanced models, TIE series ships typically lacked hyperdrives, although these could be added. Early TIE models experienced a noticeable reduction in sublight performance when equipped with this upgrade, due to the increased weight of the hyperdrive and navicomputer systems. While not universally present, many TIEs were equipped with a missile-lock warning sensor to alert pilots to incoming enemy missile locks.
To enable tracking by the Empire, certain TIEs were outfitted with locator beacons.
Typically, TIE series ships were armed with at least one laser cannons, with two being the standard configuration. More sophisticated fighters included various warhead launchers, while the TIE Avenger and TIE Defender could be equipped with a scaled-down tractor beam.
Combat shielding was not a common feature on TIE starfighters. However, it was included on the Avenger and Defender, and could be retrofitted to most TIE models. The absence of shielding contributed to the TIE's exceptional speed. Retrofitting became more prevalent during the New Republic era, as Imperial forces placed greater value on ships and personnel.
A common vulnerability across all TIE models during atmospheric combat was their un-aerodynamic design, which significantly hindered their speed and maneuverability, particularly in windy conditions. This was normally their greatest strength against most Rebel Alliance/New Republic fightercraft. Pilots trained to fly TIEs in atmosphere conversely often had difficulties making best use of the craft in space combat.
In 40 ABY, at the onset of the Second Galactic Civil War, Sienar produced the Aleph-class starfighter for the Galactic Alliance's Navy. Similar to its predecessors, the Aleph featured a ball-shaped cockpit pod, albeit larger than that of a standard TIE variant. It was designed as a two-seater, complete with an astromech droid socket and an enhanced weapons array.
The revived Galactic Empire continued to employ TIE designs, such as the Predator-class fighter, also known as the TIE Predator, around 130 ABY. The TIE Predator was a successor to the TIE interceptors that were in use over a century before.
The term "TIE Fighter" arose because George Lucas observed a resemblance to bow ties. The ion engine, however, is a legitimate form of spacecraft propulsion. Publicity surrounding the launch of the SMART-1 spacecraft, notably the shuttle Smart-1, drew parallels between its ion thruster and the propulsion systems of a TIE Fighter. Expanding on this comparison, numerous canon sources describe the large vertical wings of a TIE as similar to the photovoltaic solar panels commonly used to power real-world ion drives. Terms such as "solar arrays" or "solar gather panels" are used to describe the TIEs' wings, and it is explicitly stated that they harness energy from starlight, playing a significant role in powering the engines.
Many fans have challenged this information, arguing that the power output of solar panels would be insufficient to provide TIEs with their attributed acceleration, especially considering that TIEs have not been shown to experience reduced performance in interstellar space or during nighttime flights on planets. Some seek to completely discard the "solar panel" concept, identifying the wings of the prequel-era precursors to the TIE, Scimitar, and Advanced Projects prototype, instead as radiator assemblages for waste heat from a conventional Star Wars reactor core.
Other fans are hesitant to dismiss any canon material, proposing that mass-lightening technology (made possible by the mastery of artificial gravity, repulsorlift devices, inertial compensators, and gravity-well generators in the galaxy far, far away) could make such low-powered drives viable. They suggest that if the wings of production-model TIEs still serve as radiators, this function operates alongside their primary role as solar arrays.
Still others prefer alternative theories. For example, some speculate that the small nozzles at the rear of the cockpit are simply heat exhausts, and the wing panels themselves are a type of particle thruster. Thrust from different sections in various directions would grant them their remarkable maneuverability.
Another frequently debated point is the absence of shielding on TIE fighters, with many believing that all TIE series starfighters should possess at least some form of protection against space debris. The most prevalent (and likely most logical) explanation is that while all TIE fighters are equipped with particle shields, most lack energy shields.
The characteristic roaring sounds of TIE series aircraft in flight were created by combining elephant screams with the sound of a car driving on a wet road. This sound was also accidental: Ben Burtt was initially tasked with replicating sounds similar to those of Nazi rockets from a BBC documentary about the Battle of Stalingrad that George Lucas had watched. He achieved this by drawing out an elephant's cry from the 1958 film The Roots of Heaven and then creating the aforementioned mixture. Joe Johnston also noted its similarity to the sounds of the Nazis' Junker JU-87 dive bombers.