TIE/sf space superiority fighter

"I always wanted to fly one of these things."

- Poe Dameron

The TIE/sf space superiority fighter was a starfighter model used by the First Order, a specialized version of the TIE/fo space superiority fighter. It was a two-seater unlike the previous TIE models, and was outfitted with enhanced weapons and sensor systems as well as hyperdrives and deflector shields. The TIE/sf was reserved for members of the First Order's elite Special Forces. On the lower side of the vehicle, directly below the primary fuel tank, was a turret containing a pair of heavy laser cannons and a mag-pulse warhead launcher.

Characteristics
"Use the toggle on the left to switch between missiles, cannons, and mag pulse -- use the sight on the right to aim, triggers to fire!''" "''This is very complicated."

- Poe Dameron and FN-2187 shortly before their escape from the Finalizer

A two-seat strike fighter used by the First Order's elite Special Forces pilots, the TIE/sf boasted weapons far more powerful than a standard TIE, combining laser cannons with a heavy weapons turret armed and warhead launcher, giving the fighter a 360 degree field of fire and ability to deliver special ordnance. Although the pilot had the ability to fire all weapons, the turret was ideally controlled by the rear-facing gunner.

Special Forces TIEs were equipped with hyperdrives to enable the fighter to go on long range missions far from a base or carrier ship, enhanced deflector shields and high-yield cells that provided additional power to onboard systems (necessary because of the more powerful weapons and stronger shields). These versatile attack ships were used for both reconnaissance and combat operations.

This variant of the TIE Fighter could be visually distinguished from its regular counterpart by the laser turret below the cockpit and the red flashes on its left side; similarly, the Special Forces pilots who operated them also had red flashes on their helmets, in a callback to the flight barons of the Galactic Empire.

History
The captured Resistance ace pilot Poe Dameron alongside a then-recently defected stormtrooper identified as FN-2187 hijacked a TIE/sf space superiority fighter to escape from the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer Finalizer, with their initially running into some problems due to the TIE still being connected to a wire. The fighter ended up crashing on Jakku due to being hit by missiles, although both Poe and FN-2187, rechristened Finn, survived.

Later some TIE/sfs took part in the Battle of Takodana assisting in leveling the Maz Kanata's castle and killing many of its inhabitants, and engaged Resistance T-70 X-wing starfighters in combat above the ruins. Although the TIE fighters were successful on attacking the castle and supporting infantry, they proved to be no match to Resistance fighter forces, ending up losing many TIEs against the versatility of X-wings and Poe Dameron's superb skills forcing the First Order to retreat.

After the Battle of Kestro Iden Versio,Shriv Suurgav,Zay Versio, and Dio stole two special force TIEs to sneak aboard Commander Gideon Hask's star destroyer the Retribution.

Also some Special Force TIEs where part of the Starkiller aerial defense force during the Battle of Starkiller Base however they unable to stop Poe Dameron from destroying the key thermal oscillator which led to a chain reaction, destroying the planet.

Zay and Shriv used a special force TIE to escape the Retribution and head to D'Qar to deliver the Project Resurrection and Manator IV-class Siege Dreadnought information to the resistance and go to Outer Rim Territories to find allies for them.

Captain Phasma and TN-3465 used a TIE/sf to travel to Luprora to hunt down and assassinate Sol Rivas who also used a special force TIE.

During the Evacuation of D'Qar, some Special Force TIEs chased and tried to shoot down Poe Dameron's X-wing Black One while he was destroying the Fulminatrix's turrets.

Later during the First Order's attack on the Resistance fleet, Kylo Ren personally attacked the Resistance's flagship, Raddus, in his TIE Silencer with three Special Forces TIEs flanking him. When Ren, sensing the presence of his mother, Leia Organa Solo, hesitated to fire on the Raddus bridge, his wingmen destroyed it instead using missiles, killing everyone on the bridge except for Organa, who was incapacitated in the attack. All three Special Forces TIEs were destroyed soon after, forcing Ren to retreat.

Later some TIE/sfs attended the Battle of Crait, the First Order TIEs destroyed most of "Reb" Squadron and pursued the Millennium Falcon through the planets interior.

Behind the scenes
During the early days of brainstorming for Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, concept artist Doug Chiang suggested including TIE fighters with headlights, as he thought that it was very cool when the Millennium Falcon showed its headlights in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.

The scale model for what would eventually be revealed as Black Spire Outpost unveiled upon the announcement of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge showed a TIE/sf space superiority fighter parked near what is later revealed to be Docking Bay 9. However, in the actual real-life park, this was replaced with the TIE echelon.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Force Arena
 * Star Wars Battlefront II
 * Poe Dameron 2: Black Squadron, Part II
 * Poe Dameron 4: Lockdown, Part I
 * Join the Resistance: Attack on Starkiller Base
 * Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens
 * Star Wars: The Force Awakens novelization
 * Star Wars: The Force Awakens: A Junior Novel
 * Star Wars: The Force Awakens Graphic Novel Adaptation
 * The Force Awakens, Part I
 * Captain Phasma, Part I
 * Captain Phasma, Part II
 * Captain Phasma, Part III
 * Captain Phasma, Part IV
 * Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi
 * Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition
 * Star Wars: The Last Jedi: A Junior Novel
 * The Last Jedi Adaptation 2
 * Poe Dameron 26: The Awakening, Part I
 * Star Wars: The Last Jedi: A Junior Novel
 * The Last Jedi Adaptation 2
 * Poe Dameron 26: The Awakening, Part I

Non-canon appearances

 * LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
 * Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes