The traitor, Admiral Zaarin during an
intercepted transmission...
(photo: JBLISKO, 2/95)

The Wing Commander wishes to advise all Emperor's Hammer Members of the existence of the Iron HandIron Hand works exclusively for the Rebel Alliance, Members joining that Wing will be considered Rebels against the Emperor and will be dealt with as such...

WC/Ronin/Alpha-1/T-D

Their has been much discussion lately regarding the superiority of Imperial versus Rebel fighters in the AOL FSRC Warrior’s Guild. With the commissioning of Elite Strike Wings such as the Emperor’s Hammer, which is manned with the latest and best fighters in the Imperial arsenal, this is no longer a debatable issue. The best fighter in the Rebel Fleet is reportedly the Incom X-Wing Fighter whereas the generally agreed equivalent (and currently, the most commonly issued) Imperial Fighter is the Sienar Fleet Systems TIE Advanced. It should be noted that the TIE Defender and Cygnus’ Missile Boat feature dramatic improvements over the TIE Advanced but are only issued in limited numbers to Elite Strike Units such as the Emperor’s Hammer. Although this situation is rapidly changing as standard Imperial Naval units are beginning to receive their first upgraded fighters. The TIE Advanced is replacing the TIE Fighter and the TIE Interceptor, the Missile Boat is replacing the Assault Gunboat and several Squadrons of TIE Defenders have already been commissioned to add unstoppable firepower to the Imperial Navy.

The following comparison between the X-Wing and the TIE Advanced is provided for the review of all readers, as published in the Stele Chronicles issued with the TIE Fighter Game (LucasArts, 1994):

INCOM X-WING (X-W) FIGHTER

Two Incom T-65C X-Wing Fighters...
(photo: TREYNARD, 1/95)

Name/Model:			T-65C A2 X-Wing

Designer/Manufacturer:		Incom

Combat Designation:		Space Superiority Fighter

Crew:				1 pilot plus 1 Astromech Droid

Power System:			Novaldex O4-Z cryogenic power cells and ionization reactor

Propulsion System:		Four Incom 4j.4 fusial thrust engines (rated at 300 KTU)

Speed Rating:			100 MGLT

Flight Control System:		Torplex Rq8.Y flight control avionics package

Maneuverability Rating:		75 DPF

Navigation:			Astromech Droid, usually R2 unit

Hyperdrive:			Incom Gbk-585 motivator drive unit

Sensor Systems:			Fabritech ANS-5d unit with a long range Phased Tachyon Detection

				Array Model #PA-9r and one short range Primary Threat Analysis

				Grid Model #PG-7u

Targeting Computer:		Fabritech Anq 3.6 tracking computer and IN-334-B "sightline holographic imaging system

Weapons:			Four Taim & Bak IX4 Laser Cannons (single fire or fire linked)

				Two Krupx MG7 Proton Torpedo Launchers (3 torpedoes each)

Shields/Armor:			Forward/Rear Projecting Chempat Shields (rated at 50 SBD)

				Titanium Alloy Hull (rated at 20 RU)

Special Design Features:	S Foil Wings, adjustable for atmospheric flight

SIENAR FLEET SYSTEMS TIE ADVANCED ("Avenger")

Although the TIE Advanced is an older design in
comparison to the TIE Defender or Missile
Boat, the addition of the Tractor Beam to all
TIE Advanced fighters in the Navy will put them
on equal footing with the newer fighters.
(photo: TREYNARD, 1/95)

Name/Model:			TIE/Ad

Designer/Manufacturer:		Sienar Fleet Systems

Combat Designation:		Space Superiority Fighter/Interceptor

Crew:				1 pilot

Power System:			SFS I-s3a solar ionization reactor

Propulsion System:		SFS P-sx7.4 Twin Ion Engines (rated at 230 KTU)

Speed Rating:			145 MGLT

Flight Control System:		SFS F-s5x flight avionics system

Maneuverability Rating:		150 DPF

Navigation:			SFS N-s6 Navcon computer system

Hyperdrive:			SFS ND9 Hyperdrive Activator Unit

Weapons:			Four SFS L-s9.3 Laser Cannons (single fire or fire linked)

				Two SFS M-g-2 General Purpose Warhead Launchers

Shields/Armor:			Forward/Rear Projecting Novaldex Shields (rated at 100 SBD)

				Titanium Hull with Quadanium Solar Panels (rated at 20 RU)

Wing Commander’s Note:

As pointedly demonstrated above, the Sienar Systems TIE Advanced, the new standard fighter of the Imperial Navy, is significantly superior to the X-Wing in almost all aspects. Unlike the older TIE and TIE Interceptor models, the TIE Advanced has superior, quick recharging shielding. In addition, the speed and maneuverability of the TIE Advanced are 45% and 100% superior to the X-Wing, respectively. Several recently documented encounters with the X-Wing proved the TIE Advanced could literally "run circles around" the X-Wing. Although the two craft have equivalent hull thickness, the TIE Advanced possesses a shield with a 100% higher shield rating (SBD). In addition, the TIE Advanced features a hyperdrive unit, a tractor beam and an advanced navigation computer which eliminates the need for a Droid. Although it should be noted that the X-Wing Navigation Droids allow the craft to make 5 to 10 consecutive jumps to lightspeed (dependent on R5 or R2 unit), whereas the N-s6 Navcon Computer only allows one round trip hyperspace jump without extensive additional calculations required of the pilot.

In summary, the TIE Advanced Fighter is almost a generation ahead of the outdated Incom T-65 X-Wing Fighter and with the addition of the TIE Defender and Missile Boat, the next generation of TIE craft, the Rebellion’s forces will stand no chance for success in future battles. As a point of note, the Rebellion has no known upgrade plans for their fighter squadrons. This will be their undoing...There is a finite time the Rebels can survive on willpower alone. The Bureau of Imperial Security stated, in a private memorandum to Lord Vader, that the Rebel Alliance can barely maintain the diminished Fleet it fields at the moment. Consequently, the Rebels can not afford to divert critical resources to research and development. Rebel MC80 Mon Calamari Cruisers have been seen attacking Imperial merchant convoys recently to obtain sorely needed spare parts and other equipment. Since the Rebellion started resorting to this cowardly display of desperation, their moral cause has suffered dramatically. The Imperial Security Bureau believes that their recruitment is as much as 50% lower than a year ago...Fortunately for the Empire, it possesses nearly limitless industrial and technological resources from which to draw upon...the Rebel Alliance has almost no industrial foundation, and therefore, ultimately must lose the war.

Respectfully submitted,

General Ronin
Wing Commander
WC/Ronin/Alpha-1/T-D