Summary
The success of George Lucas’Star Warssaga can be attributed as much to the excellent art design employed throughout the series as it can to his scripts. Indeed, while many of Lucas' characters have made a mark on popular culture, hisStar Warsfilms would not be the same without the effects of ILM, the sound design of Benn Burtt, or the musical talents of John Williams.
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Just as Lucas could not succeed without the aid of other creatives, nor could his Rebel Alliance endure without its vital fleet of ships. Several larger ships, includingAdmiral Ackbar’sHome One, played a role in besting the Galactic Empire, but the bulk of the Rebellion’s military strength came from within its Starfighter Corps.
6U-wing
Introduced in2016’sRogue One: A Star Wars Story, the UT-60D U-wing deviated from the usual Rebellion norm for starfighter design. Rather than focusing on straightforward combat ability in terms of ship-to-ship engagements, the main role of the U-wing was to carry ground troops, as seen during the Battle of Scarif.
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Despite this focus on troop transport, the U-wing was not without defenses. Two KX7 laser cannons allowed the ship to hold its own against any attacker, and the U-wing could be modified to increase its offensive output. It may have been a utility vessel rather than a dogfighter, but the U-wing was a vital player in the Galactic Civil War.
5E-wing
Strictly speaking, the E-wing was not a part of the Rebel fleet: by the time of its development, the Galactic Civil War was over, and the rebels were now the legitimate state. Nonetheless, this nimble starfighter drew heavily upon the lessons learned by the Starfighter Corp during the conflict and deserves an honorable mention.
Designed as a successor to the iconic X-wing, the E-wing also required an astromech droid to assist in piloting. However, unlike its predecessor, the E-wing made specific use of the advanced R7 astromech. Despite initial engineering issues, the starfighter played a significant role in several Star Wars Legends events, including the Second Galactic Civil War. The E-wing design has proved a fan-favorite, as the ship also makes an appearance in the trailer forthe canonAhsokaseries.
4Y-wing
Due to its insurgent nature, the Rebel Alliance was forced to rely on older models of ships. This necessity was best represented by its extensive use of the Y-wing, a heavy starfighter developed initially by the Galactic Republic foruse in the Clone Wars. Despite its relative age, the Y-wing became a key vessel of the Starfighter Corps during the early years of the Galactic Civil War. Their usage even attracted the special attention of the Galactic Empire, which began to train cadets in how to combat the long-range bomber.
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However, the Y-wing was unable to hold its own against newer Imperial fighters. This became lethally apparent during the Battle of Yavin, when the Y-wing component of the Rebel strike force suffered a nearly 90% casualty rate, with only a single starfighter from Gold Squadron surviving the engagement. Such losses made it apparent that alternative ships were required, including the heavy fighter B-wing.
3A-wing
Manufactured by Kuat Drive Systems, the RZ-1 A-wing interceptor was based on prior Republic starfighters. The A-wing’s agility allowed it to tangle with the dangerous TIE Interceptors and often win, although the vessel’s diminutive size was a curse as well as a blessing. As the tiny starfighter lacked the space to support an astromech droid, all maneuvers had to be handled by a pilot. This deficit, combined with the intrinsically tricksy nature of the A-wing’s thrusters, meant that only the very best pilots could fly the interceptor.
Despite any shortcomings, the A-wing proved an enduring starfighter even after the end of the Galactic War. When the New Republic came under threat fromKylo Ren’s resurgent First Order, next-generation A-wings were deployed as part of the Resistance’s forces. Indeed, the A-wing’s success proves that, for starfighters, size isn’t everything.
2B-wing
The A/SF-01 B-wing starfighter demonstrated its value during several engagements of the Galactic Civil War, most notably during the climactic Battle of Endor. While many rebel starfighters were designed for combat against other smaller vessels, the B-wing had the unique advantage of packing a punch against capital ships. This proved advantageous during the Battle of Endor, as the Rebel fleet was forced to contend with a group ofStar Destroyers and Super Star Destroyersas they attempted to destroy the second Death Star.
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However, the B-wing’s massive firepower (comparable to some corvettes, albeit in a smaller frame) came at a cost. Although a gyroscopic cockpit made targeting easier, other features of the starfighter were problematic, including its low speed and maneuverability, as well as its excessive heat signature. As such, the B-wing was something of a glass cannon and required support from other starfighters during its attack runs. Nonetheless, despite these flaws, the punchy starfighter should not be underestimated.
1X-wing
The X-wing starfighter is not only iconic within theStar Warsuniverse but also in the wider science fiction canon. It rivals theMillennium Falconin terms of fan recognition, and this status is reflected in the ways that the design language of the starfighter has echoed backward and forwards throughout the Skywalker Saga.Revenge of the Sith’s ARC-170 incorporates elements of the X-wing design, while director J.J. Abrams made the understandable decision to bow to nostalgia with the advanced T-70 X-wing of the Sequel Trilogy.
In-universe, the impact of the X-wing starfighter is no less profound.The starship’s hyperdriveallowed it to operate independently across a greater range than rival TIE fighters, while the ship was also a competent dogfighter. This helped to give the Rebel Alliance the upper hand at the Battle of Yavin and the Battle of Endor, and, as such, the starfighter played a significant role in neutralizing the Death Star threat. However, the X-wing was not invincible: of the 22 deployed at the Battle of Yavin, only 2 returned.
