Eta-2 Actis-class interceptor

Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor The Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor, sometimes referred to as the Jedi interceptor due to its popularity with Jedi pilots, was a Clone Wars-era Republic starfighter that shared design elements of the Delta-7 Aethersprite-class "Jedi starfighter" and the TIE/ln starfighter of the later Galactic Empire.

Design


At 5.47 meters in length, the Eta-2 was significantly shorter than the already diminutive Delta-7. The new fighter's mass was further reduced by removing much of the forward spaceframe, leaving the front of the ship in a forked shape. Like its predecessor, it was also too small to hold an onboard hyperdrive. Because of this, the Eta-2 had to rely on carrier vessels or hyperspace transport rings for long-distance travel. However, the Actis did have room for a full astromech droid, instead of a truncated unit as was fitted into the Aethersprite.

Like the simultaneously developed ARC-170 starfighter and Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter, the Eta-2 incoporated S-foils to radiate excess engine heat in the thick of combat, reducing the likelihood of damage to the the craft. Occasionally, though not always, the lifting panels were opened during normal flight to further reduce stress on the engines. This design element would be carried on through the radiator panels of later TIE fighters, which, though unlike the Eta-2's foils were locked in static positions, served the same purpose.



Thanks mostly to the fact that its development occurred in the midst of a galactic civil war, the Eta-2 had more firepower at its disposal than the Delta-7&mdash;two large laser cannons and two ion cannons. While the size of its guns provided it with respectable firepower, the fighter's limited power systems restricted it's ability to fire continuously. Raith Sienar's twin ion engine design allowed the Eta-2 to achieve a maximum acceleration of 5,200 g. Unlike the Delta-7, the Eta-2 was not equipped with shields.

Eta-2s that were flown by the Jedi were stripped down for even faster performance. Heavy sensors and flight instruments were removed, since they were unnecessary for a pilot with precognitive Force abilities. Some of these starfighters were customized by their pilots. While Obi-Wan Kenobi's red-hued fighter was more in line with the factory standard, Anakin Skywalker's craft was painted a bright yellow color, Saesee Tiin's was green, and Mace Windu's purple.



The standard fighter complement of a Venator-class Star Destroyer included 192 Eta-2 interceptors. The Eta-2 became one of the first starfighters in use by the Imperial Navy.

Clone Wars
The Eta-2 Actis was designed by Kuat Systems Engineering, following up on its success with the Aethersprite. Although it included and improved upon many design elements of the latter, it was much smaller and more practical than its predecessor, allowing far more Eta-2 ships to fit into hangars that could only hold a handful of Delta-7 craft. This concept led to much wider production and use in the Republic Navy than the Delta-7 had seen, since it had been designed exclusively for the Jedi. It would also inspire the design and size rules that made the TIE fighters of the later Empire so cheap, modular, and effective.

Post-Clone Wars


The Alpha/Delta/Eta line was sold to Sienar some years after the Galactic Republic became the Galactic Empire. Elements of the Eta-2 Actis design were used in the creation of Sienar Fleet Systems' TIE Fighter&mdash;most notably the vertical radiator panels and twin ion engines, not to mention the spoked viewing port.

Darth Vader himself piloted a black-hued Eta-2 during some of his early missions for Emperor Palpatine as the Great Jedi Purge continued, sometimes flanked by V-wing starfighters.

During the Galactic Civil War, some Eta-2s still remained operational in the Imperial Navy and were reserved for skilled pilots. Others were captured and used by the Rebel Alliance, with similar requirements.

Behind the scenes



 * Designed for Revenge of the Sith, the Eta-2 interceptor was one of many aspects of the film designed to bridge the gap between Episode III and the Original Trilogy. Intended to be reminiscent of both TIE/ln starfighters and Vader's TIE Advanced x1 from Episode IV, the designers of the fighter included the segmented cockpit window of the original TIE fighter as well as the bent wing formation and targeting systems seen on Vader's personal starfighter in Episode IV.


 * The name Actis was inspired by the Greek mythological character of the same name. Actis was one of the sons of Rhodus and Helios and one of a group of four brothers who were masters of naval navigation and betrayed one of their other siblings.


 * Etais the seventh letter of the Greek alphabet, in keeping with the naming pattern established by the Delta-7 interceptor.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars: Obsession
 * Clone Wars Volume II
 * Chapter 21
 * Chapter 22
 * Chapter 23
 * Chapter 25
 * ''Labyrinth of Evil
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Republic 78: Loyalties
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
 * Star Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees
 * Dark Nest III: The Swarm War