TIE Fighters

The TIE fighter is an unforgettable symbol of the Imperial fleet. The cockpit of a TIE is neither spacious nor luxurious, even when compared to other starfighters. A TIE fighter is designed with the bare minimum a ship needed to function, being essentially nothing more than a cockpit with weapons on the front and an engine in the rear. This simplicity in design made them both quick and inexpensive to build and replace. Carried aboard Star Destroyers and battle stations, TIE fighters are single-pilot vehicles designed for fast-paced fights with other starfighters. It is a short-range fighter developed, manufactured, and mass produced by the Empire. The TIE fighter has twin ion engines to provide thrust and boosters capable of quickly adjusting the ship's direction, however in order to minimize power drain, the TIE lacks key systems such as deflector shields and hyperdrives. The fighter's black wings are in fact an array of twelve solar collectors that pool power and directed it to the fighter's twin engines and low-temperature lasers. It's central cockpit is tightly fitted, incorporating flight controls, viewscreens, targeting systems, tracking equipment—including a homing beacon in case the vessel was stolen—and room for a pilot all in the central pod. TIEs are also outfitted with an ejection seat and twin low-temperature laser cannons. The fighter also features a single proton torpedo launcher.