Star Wars: The X-Wing Starfighter, Explained (2024)

Since the release of the original Star Wars trilogy, fans have wished they could hop on a ship and engage in massive space fights, with one of the most famous of all the ships being the X-Wing Starfighter. Just about every Star Wars fan should have a vivid image of the famed ship in their mind, specifically because of how prominently it has been featured in the films.

The X-Wing Starfighter may not have the same history as a ship like the Millennium Falcon or the Ebon Hawk and it may not have the same gravitas as a Star Destroyer, but the ship will always be remembered for its impact. Without the handy X-Wing, the Rebel Alliance may have never been able to defeat the Empire. These trusty vehicles were maneuvrable, fast, and incredibly powerful for their size, making them an excellent tool.

How Was The X-Wing Starfighter Created?

Rather than the X-Wing being a wholly unique ship, it was actually based on a few that some Clone Wars buffs might have some familiarity with. Primarily, the X-Wing is based on three separate ships: two Z-95 Headhunter models, and the Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter. The genius here was that those working on the ships were interested in figuring out how to combine the best aspects of each of the previously listed ships in order to create the perfect starfighter. The Incom Corporation actually engineered the first X-Wings, which ended up being used by the Alliance after the Empire chose to utilize TIE Fighters over the fantastic starfighters.

From there, the X-Wings would continue to be tinkered with in order to further improve the design and stamp out any found flaws. One such example would be the ship’s inability to deal with a threat that is directly behind it, something that would be corrected in future versions of the X-Wing. Due to the longevity of the X-Wing, it’s clear that the galaxy won’t be halting production of the vehicles anytime soon.

What Are X-Wing Starfighters Equipped With?

While it is true that the design of X-Wings and their equipment does change with various models, the most recognizable version of the ship is the T-65. This ship may seem rather small in scope, but it’s actually a force to be feared when piloted by the right person. It might be clear from the ship’s design, but it has four main cannons, specifically the Taim & Bak KX9 laser cannons, ready to blast foes into dust with four different firing modes. The X-Wing was also equipped with two separate torpedo launch ports allowing for powerful secondary fire to be let loose.

The ships featured four 4L4 fusial thrust engines, but the real draw was the fact that the X-Wings had their very own hyperdrives. While this may simply seem like this means the X-Wings could maneuver star fields quickly (and that was true) it actually meant that a platoon of X-Wings would be capable of going on their own missions independent of any other carriers or a nearby base. Of course, it also wasn’t uncommon for the X-Wings to have slots for repair droids, which could also function as a basic navigator as well.

Was The X-Wing Starfighter Useful In Battle?

As with all things, the usefulness or effectiveness of the X-Wing depends on the situation. Many within the Star Wars universe speak highly of the ships thanks to how heavily they can be equipped while still having immense speed. With great use at a variety of altitudes, the X-Wing is easily one of the most trustworthy ships one could use in battle. All of this is made clear by General Carlist Rieekan in ship selection for the game Star Wars: Rogue Squadron:

It is safe to say that the X-Wing Starfighter is incredibly useful in battle, especially thanks to the fact that the design of the ship has only improved instead of being replaced altogether. The T-65 X-Wing may have a rather glaring weak spot, but it has since been improved, making it one of the most useful ships in the galaxy. The X-Wing did manage to take out the Death Star, and it is routinely used to combat TIE Fighters. This means that the X-Wing was one of the only ways that the Rebel Alliance could go toe-to-toe with the Empire in space and full-scale battles on planets.

What Are The Different X-Wing Models?

X-Wing Models:

• T-65 X-Wing
• T-65B X-Wing Starfighter
• T-65C-A2 X-Wing Starfighter
• B-class X-Wing
• Patrol X-Wing
• T-70 X-Wing Starfighter
• T-85 X-Wing Starfighter

While there are various models of the classic X-Wing Starfighter in canon and in Legends Canon, it is perhaps best to focus on the current canon. It is also important to note that while there are a variety of named lines and models of the X-Wing, no list can ever be truly exhaustive thanks to the ability of creatives for Star Wars to canonize new models at any moment, especially if the need to sell more toys arises. To date, the main models of X-Wings are the famed T-65 line of X-Wings, the B-Class, Patrol, T-70, and T-85 lines. Each and every model comes with its own unique aspects while mostly maintaining the core “X” body design that the X-Wings are known for.

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Star Wars

Star Wars is a multimedia franchise originally created by George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd with the 1977 motion picture. The science fiction franchise follows the adventures of characters (both humanoid and alien) in outer space including those who can wield a mystical power known as the Force. Since the release of the original trilogy of movies, the franchise has expanded to include multiple films and branched out to other media like comics, video games, tv shows, theme park attractions, and more. The IP and Lucasfilm were sold to Disney in 2012.