| TIE/sk x1 experimental air superiority fighter | |
| |
| Star Ship Info | |
| Name: |
TIE/sk x1 experimental air superiority fighter |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Model: |
TIE/sk x1 |
| Class: |
Atmospheric fighter |
| Length: |
17.18 meters |
| Height/depth: |
2.95 meters |
| Maximum acceleration: |
1,500 kph |
| Engine unit(s): |
|
| Armament: |
|
| Crew: |
|
| Passengers: |
Optional |
| Year Introduced: |
Prior to 19 BBY |
| Role: |
|
| Affiliation: | |
TIE/sk x1 experimental air superiority fighters or TIE Strikers are faster versions of the standard TIE/LN starfighter. They are more durable, and even feature bomb chutes to drop bombs on heroic battle droids from the air. Specialized for in-atmosphere missions, the atmospheric fighter is identifiable by its horizontal high-speed wings and large central pod. Largely because of its specialization for such missions, it is one of the few TIE models to be used by the Imperial Army as well as the Imperial Navy.
Characteristics[]
The TIE/sk x1 experimental air superiority fighter features flat, pointed wings specially designed for in-atmosphere combat. Thus, it is faster than the standard TIE/ln space superiority starfighter.
However, the striker's wings are unusually shaped; straying from the typical TIE fighter's wing shapes, the TIE/sk's wings help increase the ship's VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) capacity. The craft is able to gain additional speed by curling down its wings, engaging from flight mode to attack mode.
The fighter is heavily armed, sporting four pairs of laser barrels and proton bombs that are particularly effective against vehicle units, dealing heavy damage over a large area. The TIE variant is equipped with ArmaTek's VL-61/79 proton bombs, which are deployed from a proton bomb chute fitted upon the armored hull of the craft's underside.
Although its intended role was as an atmospheric fighter, it could also be used as a starfighter to some extent, and accompany standard TIE fighters. However, the attributes that made the striker a useful atmospheric fighter made it less than ideal in space.
The TIE striker can be further modified with lightweight frames, thus allowing for an increased speed. The craft is also useful for shifting supplies and personnel from orbit to the planet surface, thanks to a larger central pod.