Initiate
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create an interceptor based off of the iconic Jedi Delta-7 and the newly introduced Z-28 from Incom and the High Republic
- Image Source: The High Republic: Trail of Shadows - Issue 4
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer:
- Commissioned by - Julius Loghain
- Original Design - Kuat Systems Engineering
- Construction - Kuat Drive Yards, Fondor Shipyards, Various Corellian Shipyards, Alderaan Royal Engineers, Nubia Star Drives
- Affiliation:
- Market Status: Open-Market
- Model: Gamma-9 Skywing-Class Interceptor
- Production: Minor
- Material: Various Starship Materials
- Classification: Interceptor
- Length: 5 Meters
- Width: 5 Meters
- Height: 2.4 Meters
- Armament: Average
- Repeating Laser Cannons
- Proton Torpedo Launcher
- Nose-Mounted Heavy Blaster Cannon
- Defenses: Low
- Sub-Par Armor
- Light Deflector Shields
- Chaff Dispenser [Dampener Aerosol & Anti-Missile Lock]
- Missile Deactivator
- Squadron Count: Low: 8
- Maneuverability Rating: Very High
- Speed Rating: Very High
- Hyperdrive: 1.0
- Standard Starfighter Systems
- Short-Range Sensor Jammer
- Hyperdrive
- Nav Computer
STRENGTHS
- Fast and nimble
- Small profile makes it harder to hit from behind and dead-on
- Constant fire can cause laser cannons to overheat
- Weak Shields
- Too small for beings over 6'7" [200.66~ cm]
- No astromech socket
Designed originally in good faith as a starfighter for the New Jedi Order, the Skywing was meant as a show of good faith along with the Executive Order on New Jedi Order Gratuitous Ship Maintenance. Though some Jedi saw Loghain as a dictator, it was clear that he saw the need for the Jedi even if they didn't see eye to eye. However, realizing that the Jedi had several options open to them for starfighters the project took a new turn. Now intended for citizens and militaries to properly support the dwindling number of Jedi Knights and Masters, these starfighters were designed to keep up with Jedi starfighters and support them in battle. As a result, however, many of the original test vessels proved to be too strenuous on the body of average sentients. The increased weight of inertial dampeners and other systems added for safety ultimately made the fighter a better companion fighter than a direct rival.
To compensate for the increase in mass from the additional sensors and dampeners, armor was stripped and a lighter, less powerful shield generator was installed. The overall size of the fighter was reduced as well, making it one of the Galaxy's smaller interceptors and thus restricting what species could comfortably fit into one of the Skywing's cockpits. This made dispersing the heat from the vessel's twin forward-facing repeating laser cannons difficult, making the small vessel prone to overheating. The Skywing was also equipped with a proton torpedo launcher, expanding its mission profile to that of a light strike-bomber. Though the cost of the vessel kept squadrons to a lower count of around 8 or so ships, a squadron could feasibly disable or destroy small to medium capital ships with the proper support. Nimble and quick, they could easily weave and bob between screens of enemy turbolaser fire and fly close to their targets.
Trapped in development hell for years, the Skywing would not see proper construction or deployment until after the Sith-Imperial Civil War. A few squadrons made it into the defense force of Coruscant and the Jedi Temple but ultimately production was halted when tensions between the New Imperial Order and Galactic Alliance came to a head at Kuat. Luckily, an Alliance sympathizing engineer at Kuat Systems Engineering proliferated the design to other prominent shipbuilders in the Alliance. As a result, the fighter which was initially meant to be exclusive to the Alliance has made its way into several groups and private collectors. The starfighter was quickly adopted by the Alderaanian Royal Starifhgter Corps and became the signature fighter for the ace fighter wing, the Ghosts of Alderaan. It would also become a fighter common with the Volunteer Soldier Corps group Light of the Jedi as their mainstay fighter.
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