Twin Ion Engine starcraft
The TIE series has a number of features that make it stand out from most families of starfighters. Possibly the most important one is that most models lack any provision for field landings, and carry neither repulsor field generators nor landing gear. Instead, they are stored in racks, and moved about with tractor beams or tranportation cradles fitted with thier own repulsorlifts. The other item that many people notice, is that they do not have particle shields. Instead, most of them rely on the strength of the hull itself to stop micrometorites and debris. While both of these measures save energy, maintenance, weight and money, they have not always endeared the TIEs to the pilots pilot assigned to them. On the plus side, TIE designs are highly modular, with most of the parts being over engineered, meaning that when they break, it usually pretty easy to fix. Even the electronics are sealed in blocks of protective polymer, except for the connections, allowing a faulty module to be pulled and replaced in just a few minutes by a tech. If the ship breaks and can't be fixed in under twelve hours, unless the engine needs to be replaced, it usually easier and cheaper to ready a new ship and send the old one back to the factory for recycling.
The most conservative independent estimates indicate that the Empire has approximately 6.5 million slots for TIEs. In addition to these, there are a number of them in private service, in the form of downgraded models sold under the strictest Imperial supervision. These needs have lead to the basic TIE chassis being one of, if not the, most heavily modified starship designs in history, with SFS's library boasting schematics and specifications for 682 separate models, marks and variants of the original Twin Ion Engine Fighter, which have been produced at sometime in varying quantities. The possibilities are by no means limited to even that high number, as the systems are modular, and often interchangeable, meaning that with enough tinkering, almost anything could theoretically be produced.
NOTE: Because only a handful of TIEs have repulsors and/or landing gear, each base model, and deritive models that vary from thier base, will have a notation regarding the installation of repulsorlift generators and field landing gear.
- 1st Generation
- Republic Sienar Systems T.I.E.
-The original model, introduced shortly before the end of the Clone Wars.
- 2nd Generation
- Seinar Fleet Systems TIE Fighter
-The first Imperial model, spawning most of the line fighters.
- TIE/ln
-The original interceptor, and eventually the LiNe fighter.
- TIE/ln+
-Field upgrade to the /ln, using parts and programs for the Interceptor
- TIE/fc
-Fire Control variant, used as a forward observer.
- TIE/gt
-Fore runner of the Bomber, designed for Ground Targetting missions.
- TIE/in
-Designed for Customs, it carries IoN cannons.
- TIE/rc
-Tactical ReConnicanse fighter, used for real-time data.
TIE Vanguard
-Dedicated recon ship. Usually used as a long-range scout before fleets.
- TIE/st
-Shuttle and Trainer TIE.
TIE Commercial
-A miserable deathtrap sold on the semi-open market.
- 3rd Generation
- TIE/ae
-Atmoshperically Enhanced, loved by the Army and bomber units.
TIE Advanced
-The fore runner of the TIE Interceptor.
- TIE/x1
- TIE/x2
TIE Bomber
-Heavily armed and highly accurate, the Imperial Navy's idea of subtlety
- TIE Bomber Advanced
-A Bomber for long range, high-risk missions.
- TIE/fr
-The TIE Hunter, a capable stalker under any conditions, with the teeth to kill.
- TIE/ew
-The Electronic Warfare version of the TIE Bomber. It is hard to shoot what your weapons can't see.
- TIE/sh
-Short range shuttle, and an great improvement of putting your knees in your ears, like on the TIE/st.
- TIE/co
-A high priority courier.
TIE Interceptor
-Fast, agile and well armed, the next standard in Imperial fighter craft.
- TIE Commando
-Shields and landing gear, the name says it all.
- TIE Recon Interceptor
-Replacement for the TIE/rc and Vanguard. Needs no bodyguard.
- TIE Interceptor Scout
-Faster and more dangerous than the TIE/fc.
- TIE Heavies
-Heavy power generators give this series more room to play.
- Heavy "A"
-It is hard to go wrong with six lasers.
- Heavy "B"
-Ion cannons give non-lethal, long range punch.
- Heavy "C"
-Auto-blasters take "reach-out-and-touch-someone" to the skies.
- Heavy "D" (aka Thrawn Interceptor)
-An Interceptor with heavy shields.
- TIE Demon
-The fastest and most nimble TIE, a serious speed Demon
- TIE Interceptor/gt
-A field produced hybrid of the Interceptor and the TIE/gt.
- 4th Generation (NR)
- TIE Avenger
-Fast, tough and hyperspace capable.
TIE Defender
-Almost as fast as the Avenger, and more heavy armed than any other TIE.
- Scimitar Bomber
-If the TIE Bomber scared you, this will keep you awake at nights.
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