The X-83 TwinTail starfighter, a member of the X-wing series of starfighters, saw action both prior to and during the period when Darth Krayt ascended to power around 130 ABY. This advanced spacecraft, produced by the Incom Corporation, served as the primary starfighter for the New Jedi Order until their decline and fall following the Sith-Imperial War. Krayt's Empire forbade the manufacturing of the X-83, alleging it possessed excessive power for civilian ownership; however, Incom secretly continued production, selling them to groups opposing the Empire.
Leveraging the strengths of its predecessors, the X-83 achieved a balance between resilience and offensive capabilities, featuring state-of-the-art weapon systems, robust deflector shields, and a durable hull. It also demonstrated exceptional maneuverability, whether operating within an atmosphere or in the vacuum of space. The TwinTail integrated its astromech droid, a common Incom feature, directly into its structure, thereby imbuing the craft with a distinct "personality" if memory wipes were not performed regularly. This starfighter was primarily deployed in front-line combat, where it proved to be a formidable opponent, even against fighters like the Predator-class fighter in single combat scenarios.
The X-83 represented the next evolution in Incom's X-wing line of starfighters, standing as the most recent model as of 137 ABY. Its design incorporated many of the fundamental principles of the original X-wing, including its adaptability to various roles and its armament of four laser cannons, positioned at the end of each wing. It also retained the iconic split-wing configuration, which gave the craft its signature X-shaped silhouette. Building upon the previous X-wing iteration, the R-28 starfighter, the X-83 incorporated many of the same components found in its more widely used ancestor.
The X-83 was among the most technologically advanced starfighters of its time, constructed with superior materials. Its balanced design allowed it to effectively fulfill multiple roles, thanks to its blend of firepower and resilience. The shields of the fighter were comparable to those found on a transport or light frigate, capable of withstanding significant amounts of incoming fire. Similarly, its hull was more robust than those of most shuttles. However, it remained susceptible to extreme weather conditions, such as the electrical storms common on Kiffex.
The X-83's strengths also included its advanced weaponry, which was at the forefront of starfighter technology. Equipped with four laser cannons that could be fired simultaneously or sequentially, the X-83 could unleash a high-energy blast capable of destroying nearly any target. Like its predecessors, it also carried proton torpedoes. In one-on-one engagements, the X-83 easily outmatched most contemporary fighters, and even when facing numerical disadvantages, it could inflict substantial damage on enemy forces. Whether in deep space or within an atmosphere, the X-83 boasted unparalleled maneuverability, partly due to the maneuvering vanes installed on each exhaust nacelle. This agility made it the preferred starfighter of the New Jedi Order.
The astromech droid integrated into the X-83, a signature element of Incom designs, was deeply embedded within the ship's systems, effectively becoming an extension of its main computer. If not regularly subjected to memory wipes, the craft could develop its own personality, with the droid assuming control over various electronic functions. Incom recommended periodic memory resets to prevent this, as certain personality quirks the droid might develop—such as stubbornness—could endanger the pilot if the droid refused to follow instructions. This tendency gave the ship a reputation for being quirky. However, some X-83 pilots deliberately allowed their droids to develop unique personalities, believing that the ship's performance and responsiveness improved when the astromech could anticipate their actions.
X-83 pilots wore a specialized flight suit designed to seal against the vacuum of space. In emergency situations, pilots could eject from the cockpit. The X-83's cockpit, featuring expansive windows that extended to the sides and slightly behind the pilot, was positioned further forward compared to the original T-65 starfighter. The cockpit interior was lined with panels on all sides, and pilots used two control yokes to operate the fighter. Unlike the four-engine configuration typical of its predecessors, the TwinTail featured two elongated engines that extended further behind the fighter.
The X-83 was renowned for its resilience, making it ideally suited for front-line operations. Squadrons of X-83s were frequently deployed to absorb the initial impact of enemy attacks, shielding more vulnerable fighters. J-1 shuttles were also equipped to carry a single X-83 within their cargo holds, which could serve as an escort. Moreover, the X-83 was transportable within medium-sized vessels such as the Helot-class.
Prior to the downfall of the Jedi Order, the X-83 was extensively utilized by the organization. With the rise of Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire, TwinTails were acquired by various groups and individuals who opposed his rule. Jedi TwinTail squads, such as Squad Three-Zero-One, continued to conduct missions against the Empire.
Incom engineered the X-83 as a continuation of the X-wing lineage, following the R-28 starfighter. It gained widespread adoption among the Jedi; however, when Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Krayt seized control of the Galactic Empire in 130 ABY and initiated the Jedi Purge, the Empire deemed the TwinTail too powerful for civilian ownership. Seeking to limit the firepower available to individual citizens and non-Imperial entities, the Empire mandated that Incom cease its production. Incom, however, covertly defied this order. Many X-83 manufacturing facilities were ostensibly closed, but secretly reopened to continue producing the starfighters. Other factories, officially producing the more common R-28, exploited the parts commonality between the two fighters, occasionally manufacturing an X-83 when Imperial inspectors were not present. The Empire failed to uncover this clandestine production, despite persistent rumors, and many X-wings produced after Krayt's ascension were sold through the black market, ultimately reaching the hands of those who opposed the Empire.
Even during and after Krayt's coup, the Jedi maintained possession of several X-83s. Following the massacre at Ossus on the day of Krayt's takeover, a J-1 shuttle carrying Padawans escaped, and one of its passengers, Cade Skywalker, used the shuttle's X-83 to fend off pursuing Imperial Predator-class starfighters. Skywalker successfully repelled the enemy craft, allowing the shuttle to jump to hyperspace, and ultimately sacrificed his X-wing, ejecting at the last moment. Years later, Skywalker participated in an attack on an Imperial base located on Had Abbadon, where fellow Jedi Shado Vao piloted his own X-83 alongside the Predators of his Imperial Knight allies.
Shortly after the Had Abaddon mission, a Jedi task force in X-83s—Squad Three-Zero-One—met with the fleet commanded by rogue Galactic Alliance admiral Gar Stazi to discuss a potential alliance. When one of Stazi's crew betrayed the fleet's location to the Empire, the TwinTails engaged the incoming Imperial forces, allowing the rest of the fleet to escape.
Jan Duursema conceived the X-83 for the Star Wars: Legacy comic series.