Kwenn's Star Wars Database : TIE Advanced X1

TIE ADVANCED X1

[I'm on the leader]

Database: Starship: Starfighter

19 AE | TIE 02

Type:
   Twin Ion Engine prototype starfighter
Manufacturer:
   Sienar Fleet Systems
Affiliation:
   Galactic Empire
Weapons:
   Twin laser cannons
Length:
   9.2 meters
Crew:
   1 pilot

Darth Vader's TIE fighter was dramatically different from the standard TIE to allow moviegoers to instantly recognize it in battle

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Starships Main | TIE fighter - TIE Advanced X1 - TIE interceptor - TIE bomber - TIE Defender

The TIE Advanced possessed shields, a hyperdrive and
life-support systems, elevating it way above the standard
TIE/In fighter. Yet its advancements proved to be the X1's
downfall.

    Manufactured as a prototype TIE fighter to the
specifications of Darth Vader himself, the Advanced X1
was used as the Dark Lord's personal starfighter. While
only slightly faster than the TIE interceptor it influenced,
the TIE Advanced was still far quicker than the Rebel
X-wing, and could take a beating unlike the standard TIE.
Though visibility was not improved from the TIE/In, the
Advanced fighter did feature superior targeting systems
and navigation computers. This went some way to compensating for the lack of an astrodroid in all TIE models.

    Despite the ship's advancements and popularity with test pilots, Sienar Fleet Systems never got the TIE Advanced off the prototype stage. Instead, the Empire opted for the TIE interceptor, which incorporated many of the changes the TIE Advanced had pioneered. Though the Imperial cited heavy expenses as the reason for the TIE Advanced's failiure, it was actually down to the additions of shields and the hyperdrive. Stragetists feared that a tougher, hyperspace-capable TIE starfighter would cut down on the number of Star Destroyers they would be able to order - which were partly used as transports for the standard TIEs.

    Nevertheless, the changes added to Vader's TIE Advanced saved his life in the Battle of Yavin. After his wingman was shot into Vader by Han Solo in the Millennium Falcon, the Dark Lord spun out of control into space. His shields prevented outright destruction, while the hyperdrive allowed him to reach an Imperial base to regroup.