TIE Fighters

Depiction

TIE fighters have two wings fitted with solar panels that power a twin ion engine (TIE) system. This engine system accelerates ionized gases at a substantial fraction of lightspeed along almost any vector, affording the ships tremendous speed and maneuverability, albeit with limited fuel reserves. The wings are strong enough to double as landing gear and feature repulsorlifts for take-off and landing, though TIE fighters are designed to be launched and recovered by cycling storage racks used by Imperial starships and garrisons. The basic TIE fighter's primary weapon is a pair of laser cannons tied to a dedicated power generator and targeting computer. The TIE fighter lacks a hyperdrive, not only to save on weight and cost but also to discourage defection. To reduce costs and increase maneuverability, most TIE variants lack deflector shields; vulnerable to direct hits from enemy starfighters, this further encourages pilots to shoot first and accurately.