UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft

Characteristics

The Incom Corporation was responsible for the U-wing's manufacture. It possessed two retractable wing-like strike foils, referred to as S-foils, which could be adjusted forward or backward based on flight requirements. Similar to the T-65 X-Wing, the movement of these strike foils was governed by an S-foil articulation servomotor assembly. Despite not being particularly skilled in dogfighting, the U-wing frequently found itself engaged in combat while delivering close air support to both ground and aerial forces. The combat-flight configuration, with wings positioned to the rear, enhanced the coverage area of the ship's deflector shields and dissipated surplus heat generated by the engine's core. However, the expanded wingspan often proved to be a disadvantage in turbulent atmospheric conditions, leading to the flight configuration being primarily reserved for high-altitude and interstellar missions.

U-wings were armed with a pair of Taim & Bak KX7 laser cannons in fixed positions, possessing enough firepower to breach the shields and hull plating of an Arquitens-class light cruiser. Considering that its main armaments relied on the ship's orientation for aiming, improvised weapons were often mounted on one or both of the loading doors, effectively transforming them into gun ports. As a result, any infantry-based heavy weapon could be integrated into the craft's arsenal. The Rebel Alliance chose not to implement permanent side-firing modifications in order to maintain this adaptability. The "Roba" M-45 repeating ion blaster is one such example of these heavy weapons.

Four 4j.7 fusial thrust engines, which were updated versions of Incom's 9XR standby model, were mounted adjacent to the fuselage, enabling atmospheric speeds of up to 950 kph. Four Incom GBk-585 hyperdrive motivators, one in each engine housing, facilitated Hyperspace travel. Due to fuel requirements, hyperspace travel was frequently restricted because crew life support demands significantly increased fuel consumption beyond optimal efficiency. The two-person cockpit was centrally located within the fuselage, featuring viewports both above and below. U-wings were unique in that they had dual controls, enabling operation by either a single pilot or a two-person flight crew. The U-wings featured the standardized controls common to many Incom Corporation designs.

The two laser cannons, fixed in position, were mainly employed for targeting enemy starfighters or fortifications, thereby restricting its ground support capabilities. To transform one or both of the side doors, improvised gun mounts were frequently utilized with heavy weapons. These guns were essential for contested landing zones and extractions. Theoretically, any infantry heavy weapon could become part of the U-Wing's armaments. Due to its shielding, armor, and passenger capacity, the U-wing handled more like a heavy repulsorcraft than a nimble space superiority fighter. Furthermore, its large turning radius and poor acceleration made it unsuitable for starfighter combat.

The older U-wing models lacked S-foils and were equipped with only two engines, in contrast to the four found on newer versions. A civilian variant, known as the BT-45D U-wing, was available but lacked any military applications, both offensive and defensive, as well as its hyperdrive, rendering it useless in combat scenarios.

U-wings could be outfitted with electronic warfare equipment, which enabled them to transmit a power jamming signal across a range of ten thousand frequencies. Although an opponent would be aware of the jamming, determining the source would require visual identification. A drawback of this jamming was its interference with friendly starfighters in the vicinity, disrupting datalinks and communication signals until the jamming was deactivated.

History

Acquisition by the Rebellion

The UT-60D was among the final vessels manufactured by Incom Corporation prior to its nationalization by the Galactic Empire. Consequently, the U-wing never underwent a complete production run. A "lost" shipment of U-wings ultimately fell into the hands of the Rebel Alliance as a result of Bail Organa's careful manipulation of Senate records. The craft's scarcity made them even more valuable to the Rebel cause. Following the diversion of the shipment, Chief Investigator Axvering of the Imperial Security Bureau interviewed Senator Organa.

By the time the Rebel Alliance established Base One as their military headquarters around 2 BBY, the U-wing was being evaluated for full integration into Rebel Alliance Starfighter Command and Rebel Alliance Special Forces. The recommendation was written by General Antoc Merrick, Colonel Bandwin Cor, and U-wing pilots.

In 1 BBY, Saw Gerrera's Partisans possessed a U-wing starfighter painted black with their distinctive markings. Saw and Edrio "Two Tubes" utilized it to destroy a relay station on Jalindi, ultimately rescuing members of the Spectres after their own operation went awry. Subsequently, they went to Faos Station to infiltrate Freighter 2716. Edrio pursued the freighter and extracted Gerrera just before the freighter's kyber crystal cargo detonated.

Around the same time, the Lothal resistance group under Ryder Azadi had an older U-wing model, which had two fewer engines than the newer version and lacked a functional hyperdrive. When the Spectres returned to Lothal, Azadi transported them to gather information on the TIE/D Defender Elite. Later, Hera Syndulla utilized Azadi's U-wing, now equipped with a working hyperdrive salvaged from the TIE Defender Elite, to escape Lothal and deliver the TIE Defender Elite flight data recorder to Alliance High Command. Based on this data, the Alliance resolved to attack the Imperial Armory Complex that was producing the TIE Defenders.

Early in the rebellion, U-wings were employed in a variety of roles, including troop transport, gunship, and medevac lifter. Some of the ships also served as cargo transports between the Telaris system and other locations. A group of agents working with a Fulcrum used a U-wing as their operational transport. They were captured at Scarif but managed to escape. One of the most well-known U-wing pilots stationed on Yavin-4 was Heff Tobber.

In late 1 BBY, the U-wing Bravo One participated in the extraction of Jyn Erso from an Imperial detention center & labor camp LEG-817 on the planet Wobani. Bravo One, piloted by the former Imperial security droid K-2SO, experienced mechanical problems and was unable to jump to hyperspace following the successful liberation of Erso by Extraction Team Bravo. To carry out repairs and request support from the Alliance Fleet, the U-wing sought refuge in an asteroid belt within the Wobani system. Red Flight, an X-wing squadron, came to Bravo One's aid and attempted to escort it to the CR90 corvette Vigilant. The rendezvous was cut short by the arrival of an Imperial I-class Star Destroyer and the destruction of the Vigilant. Bravo One was then ensnared in the Star Destroyer's tractor beam but was subsequently freed by Red Flight's attack on the Imperial warship. After the repairs were finished, Bravo One and Red Flight jumped to hyperspace to rejoin the Alliance Fleet. Bravo One then went back to Base One on Yavin 4 to deliver Erso to Mon Mothma and General Davits Draven.

Shortly afterward, Jyn, Captain Cassian Andor, and K-2SO left Yavin 4 aboard the U-wing LMTR-20, heading for the moon Jedha. After a fight with Imperial stormtroopers and capture by Gerrera's Partisans, the U-wing—piloted by K-2SO—extracted Erso and Andor, as well as the pilot Bodhi Rook and former Guardians of the Whills Baze Malbus and Chirrut Îmwe from Gerrera's hidden base. Simultaneously, the Death Star conducted a test firing of the battle station's superlaser against Jedha City, creating a wall of rubble that the U-wing was forced to outrun. The U-wing was able to jump to hyperspace from atmosphere after nearly being destroyed by falling debris.

The group then traveled aboard the U-wing to Eadu in an attempt to rescue—or, in Andor's case, assassinate—the Imperial scientist Galen Erso. As it approached the Flight Station, where Galen was stationed, the U-wing quickly encountered massive rock pillars and heavy rain. The U-wing maintained a steady course until one of the right engines collided with a rock pillar, causing the ship to plummet to the planet's surface. The U-wing was eventually abandoned as Andor, followed by the remaining passengers, left the damaged craft to continue their mission.

Galactic Civil War

The U-wings of Blue Squadron, along with the other starfighters at Base One, were mobilized shortly after the Rebel Alliance learned of the "Rogue One" squad's infiltration of the Citadel Tower on Scarif. Led by Admiral Raddus, Blue Squadron emerged from hyperspace alongside the Alliance Fleet and advanced towards the Shield Gate. At least one U-wing, escorted by X-wings, successfully penetrated the shield. A U-wing piloted by Laren Joma and Taslet Colb provided air support for Rebel forces already on the ground. Bistan, the U-wing's door gunner, unleashed a barrage of ion fire at AT-ACTs, disabling them. The U-wing then descended to the surface, delivering ground reinforcements to the battered Rebel units. Ultimately, the Imperial air defenses proved too strong, and the U-wing was shot down, resulting in the death of all those on board, as well as a number of stormtroopers caught in the crash zone. The Rebel's overall mission was a success as the Death Star's plans were captured by the Rebellion.

During the Battle of Yavin, a U-wing was present in the hangar of Base One, representing one of the few remaining ships after the significant losses at Scarif.

A U-wing was used to transport Iden Versio, a captured member of Inferno Squad, to the security cruiser Invincible Faith, although this was a ploy to delete critical intelligence. The gunships also participated in the crucial Battle of Endor, being deployed to the moon of Endor to secure Imperial assets immediately following the destruction of the DS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station. Shortly thereafter, three U-wings attempted to board the Dauntless at Fondor, but they were shot down by Inferno Squad. At least one U-wing was also used to deploy reinforcements on Naboo during the ground phase of the battle during Operation: Cinder.

After the Battle of Endor, a U-wing was used by a battle-racer. When General Lando Calrissian joined the race to uncover an informant, they were attacked by an Imperial Star Destroyer. Calrissian formed an impromptu Gold Squadron, which included the U-wing pilot, to drive off the warship.

Vanguard Squadron escorted a boarding party aboard three U-wings to capture the Star Destroyer Victorum. Gunny, the leader of Vanguard, also piloted one of the gunships during her time with the unit.

U-wings also saw action during the Battle of Jakku as part of the New Republic Starfleet, with at least one deploying New Republic Special Forces during the battle. It was nearly struck by a homing rocket, but Jom Barell intercepted the missile with his own body by flying out of the ship with a jetpack, saving the U-wing and its occupants at the cost of his life.

A U-wing diagram was featured in The Rebel Files, an archival book and data vault uncovered and annotated during the Cold War and passed down to the Resistance.

Yrica Quell took a New Republic Intelligence U-wing piloted by Kairos to the Entropian Hive during her mission to recruit Nath Tensent. Kairos continued to fly it as Alphabet Squadron was formed. During the Troithe operation weeks later, she flew close air support for Twilight Company. As they advanced to capture the governor, Kairos launched into the thickest part of the fighting, crashing her vessel and requiring medical evacuation.

First Order-Resistance War

U-wings were part of the Citizens' Fleet that participated in the Battle of Exegol, providing support to the Resistance in their struggle against the Sith Eternal forces.

Behind the scenes

The U-wing was conceived and developed for the 2016 Star Wars film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The initial concept art for the ship was revealed at the Rogue One panel during Celebration Anaheim. Further details about the U-wing were disclosed on May 17, 2016, in a preview of the 2017 reference book Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: The Official Visual Story Guide. Its official designation was revealed on The Star Wars Show on August 3, 2016. As the protagonists' primary vessel, the craft went through hundreds of design iterations. The original concept involved a helicopter-sized craft attached to the heroes' main ship, but this idea was abandoned in favor of focusing on the smaller craft.

According to the non-canon TV series LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures, the repairs made to Lieutenant Colvett Valeria's U-wing by Freemaker Salvage and Repair, specifically finding a type A vector coil, led to their subsequent hiring by the Rebel Alliance.