not to confuse with the very real Sikorsky X-Wing.

T-65 X-Wings , or hunters type wings-X , are spaceships used for the space combat in the universe of the Star Wars imagined by George Lucas.
They draw their name from the shape of their shutters of attacks deployed (in X).
X-wing starfighter became the symbol of the rebellion.

History

X-wing was conceived at the origin by Incom Corporation for the Empire, but the entirety of the team of engineers passed to Rebellious Alliance with the prototypes. It goes down directly from the old man Z-95 Headhunter (headhunter), and shares characteristics of design with the hunter ARC-170 dating from the time of the War of the Clones, which were both built by Incom and Subpro.

X-wing was continuously improved during all its life. The original T-65AC1 brought into service by Rebellious Alliance, was a correct apparatus of attack general-purpose for its time, but was quickly supplanted by the T-65AC2, praising a better acceleration. The T-65AC3 improved embarked electronics, the shields and the probes. The T-65AC4 was mainly a levelling of the engines, which made of it a machine almost equal to the A-wing in term of maneuverability. One will note an innovation of design for the T-65D-A1, which replaced the Droïde astromecanician by an internal computer for calculations of jump in hyperspace, but he was regarded as a failure (partially of with the facility of sabotage).

Little time before the invasion of Yuuzhan Vong, the New Republic left the series " XJ" X-wing model. A third compartment of torpedes was added where a compartment was held previously of cargo; what increased the payload of the torpedes for proton with nine. The engines, lasers and electronics were improved églament. The XJ could also use the new model of Droïde astromecanician R7, even if some modifications last being made at the same time on the hunter and the Droïde. The " XJ" was improved considerably in all points compared to the first designs and was firstly reserved to the squadrons of starfighter with pilots Jedi. The final model of series XJ during the war was the XJ3.

The development continued after the war, to arrive at the XJ6, but also at several more specialized versions. One of these alternatives was StealthX, a compact model painted in black and specialized in the operations of espionage. Another was ChaseX, based on the XJ5, probably conceived for the missions of interception. The order Jedi had several StealthX hunters. The majority of old X-wings were reconverted in model T-65BR, alternative of recognition, after being replaced by the new models of engagements.

It had been expected that the series of X-wing would be replaced by the model E-wing roughly six years after the Bataille of Endor, but of questions of design concerning the placement of the weapons delayed the total introduction of the E-wing into the NRDF (New Republic Defense Fleet: The fleet of defense of the new republic). The deployment of the model E-wing took place (In particular in the fifth fleet) but the production of X-wing nevertheless continued and equipped with the squadrons of hunting not " with the point of the lance". A notable exception is the Rogue squadron, best the esadron of hunting of elite of the Republic and well-known for its almost exclusive use of X-wing.

At the time of the invasion of the Yuuzhan Vong, the series " XJ" was in service in the fleet, supplementing the more advanced E-wing series III (and certainly more expensive). Some paramilitary groups were also equipped with the first series of the hunters " XJ" (probably T-65XJ or T-65XJ2); the forces of the defense of the systems and the paramilitary groups poorer could have of X-wing of age and variable possibilities.

There are two contradictory systems of identification for X-wing. Basic designation “T-65” is constant, but the modifier is variable. At least two systems were employed. One of them uses suffix “AC1” with the last incremented number when the vessel is updated. A second system resembles that of the modern soldiers of the United States in which a letter is affixed at the end in ascending value (T-65B, T-65D, T-65J, etc). Those are usually considered as different names for the same variations.

Specifications

Able to travel in the hyperspace, X-wings have two pairs of ailerons of attacks - or shutters of attack -, assembled to the back of the vessel. In normal mode, the ailerons on each side are locked one against the other, but during a combat, they are deployed to increase the cover of the laser guns located at the ends of the ailerons and for better dissipating emitted heat. This gives to the apparatus its distinctive appearance in form of " X" when one sees it of face or back. The guns of the first models could not draw with the shutters from attack in closed position. To try a jump in hyperspace with the deployed ailerons also causes a great pressure on the vessel (risking to damage it).

It is perhaps the largest defect of X-wings. A pilot wishing to flee in hyperspace must initially close the ailerons. For this period of time, it will have evil to be defended against the attacks. One can read in the novels that some pilot were cut down whereas they closed again their ailerons: Wedge the Antilles the fact of noticing in volumes 1 and 2 of the novels Rogue Squadron , speaking about his/her friends whom it lost in this manner. B-wing also suffers from this weakness, but it can support more attacks thanks to more powerful shields.

Armament

T-65 is rather manoeuvrable and carries four guns laser associated with tubes for torpedes proton. One can equip it with heavy missiles, but that requires a considerable time and an effort on behalf of the engineering teams. The versatility of the torpedo is ideal for the various profiles of mission of X-wing. The lasers have several adjustments:
  • simple shooting, where each laser makes fire individually;
  • shooting doubles, where two lasers, one on each side, make fire per pair alternatively (high or low)
  • quadruple shooting, where all the lasers (with each end of the ailerons) draw simultaneously, with a convergent shooting on the target.
  • car in gust, where many beams of emitted low power. This modification was built-in during the invasion of Yuuzhan Vong, to overpower their defenses solo. Probably also useful for antipersonnels goals.

The hunter has a cockpit for a pilot, as well as an external socket for a Droïde astromecano (for example a R2 unit). The astromecano supervises the state of the vessel, can carry out emergency repairs and stores coordinates for the hyperspace.

Differ model

During all the galactic conflict, Rebellious Alliance, later the New Republic and then Galactic Alliance will improve T-65 on several occasions. Here various models seen during the war:
  • T 65R : This model is specialized in the recognition, it has two capsules faggots of measuring instruments. This model is armed little and must be escorted to ensure its brought closer defense.
  • TX-65 : This two-seater model is especially designed for the pilot training.
  • AC4 : Conceived 10 years after the battle of Endor, it is a version improved of the hunter. Its speed is consequently similar to the hunters A-Wing, which makes a much better hunter of it than this last (robustness and higher firepower). Of another improvements are to be noted on the level of the systems of targeting, of the control of shooting, and energy distribution.
  • T-65D-A1 : This model, conceived 17 years after the battle of Endor, is a version improved without astrodroide. However these models were sabotaged and of the explosives were placed inside. Fortunately the explosives were discovered and these hunters were withdrawn from the production.
  • T-65c-A3 : This model has several improvements on the level of the firepower, the performances of flight and the addition of a third torpedo tube. However, the largest improvement of the hunter is a mode of shooting to low power, which implies a high and supported rate of shooting, this mode of shooting showed its effectiveness against the Skippers Corals.
  • XJ : This ultimate version of the hunter is heavily modified. Among the modifications, we will note a better management of the shooting, the guns laser which can be concentrated in a point, as well as the presence of two engines instead of four. And this model is equipped with the new whole astrodroide R7 which equipped already the model E-wing which increases the possibilities by them.

Features (Details)

  • Manufacturer : Incom Corp.

  • Model : T - 65 Standard C.A. 3
  • : Stellar hunter of aerospace superiority
  • Length : 16 m
  • Width : 11,4 m (10,8 m with the wings in position of attack)
  • Height : 2,3 m (4,2 m with the wings in position of attack)
  • Transport capacity : 110 kg (with compartment)
  • System of energy : Cells of cryogenic energy Novaldex 04-Z & engine of ionization
  • Propulsion : 4 engines of pushed with fusion 4j.4 (300 KTU)
  • Hyper speed : Unit of flight of class 1 Koensayr R300-1T
  • Maximum speed in the atmosphere : 1050 km/h
  • Speed maximum light : 100 MGLT
  • Acceleration : 16 MGLT/s
  • Astronavigation : Droïde astromecano R2
  • Control system of navigation : Software avionics of flight torplex Rq8.y
  • Maneuverability : 75 DPF
  • Carried detection : Long range PTDA #PA- 9r & short range Arrange PTAG #PG-7u fabritech ANS-5d W
  • Système of aiming : Computer of location and continuation fabritech ANq 3.6 & system of imagery IN-344-B “Sightline”
  • Armament : 4 guns laser Taim & Bak IX4, 2 launchers of Torpedo S protons Krupex MG7 (3 torpedes each one)
  • Index of shield : 50 SBD (Chempat shield)
  • Index of hull: 20 RU (reinforced titanium alloy hull)
  • Crew : 1 pilot, 1 Droïde astromecano
  • Used by : The Alliance rebels/the Nouvelle Republic

Popular culture

The X-wing pilots of Rogue Squadron are the subjects of several series of news and video games. The series of the Star Wars books: X-wing is an example.

Did you know?

  • the Sikorsky, a experimental Helicopter Hybrid developed in the years 1980, was thus named in connection with this vessel.
  • the name " X-Wing Class" is known as only once in films of Star Wars (by an officer of the Empire in the city of the clouds the Empire counter-attacks ).

Bonds

  • More information on the encyclopedic site HoloNet

  • the article English orginal (Wikipedia)

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