Clone Z-95 starfighter

Clone Z-95 starfighter The clone Z-95 starfighter, known more commonly as the Headhunter starfighter after its predecessor model, was a starfighter developed by the Galactic Republic for its clone trooper pilots during the Clone Wars. A variant of the largely popular Incom/Subpro Corporation Z-95 Headhunter, the clone Z-95 starfighter boasted speed and maneuverability because of its sleek design. Clone troopers were often cross-trained as pilots in the Z-95 starfighter and its heavy-duty cousin, the ARC-170 starfighter, due to the similarity in controls of both Incom/Subpro craft. The Republic Navy employed the Z-95 starfighter in several capacities, including escort and starfighter combat against air support from the Navy of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, particularly at the lengthy Battle of Umbara.

Characteristics
Developed from the Z-95 Headhunter product line by Incom/Subpro Corporation, the clone Z-95 starfighter was manufactured during the regime of the Galactic Republic, specifically tailored for use by the clone trooper pilots of the Republic Navy. At 16.74 meters in length, it had a sleek design that contributed to maneuverability and agility, with a long nose extending from a single-pilot cockpit. Its two engine units were mounted on its double wings, with a laser cannon positioned on each angular wingtip, leading to a wingspan of 18.13 meters. As further armament, it was equipped with recessed torpedo launchers, while it possessed three feet as landing gear. Z-95 starfighters were commonly painted white and crimson, and it had a similar piloting control system as another Incom/Subpro product, the ARC-170 starfighter.

Role
The clone Z-95 starfighter was intended for starfighter combat, to be used by the clone trooper pilots of the Republic Navy. Due to its design, it amassed a reputation for speed and effective maneuverability, more so than its cousin, the ARC-170 starfighter. Often deployed into battle in groups of three, members of the Z-95 class saw action against equally versatile enemy units, from droid starfighters like the Hyena-class bomber, Vulture droid starfighter, and droid tri-fighter to piloted Umbaran starfighters. Z-95 starfighters were also used to escort bulkier craft during a battle, such as the Republic's LAAT/i gunships and space gunships. When not in use, Z-95 starfighters could be stored aboard large capital ship transports like the Acclamator I-class assault ship.

History
Due to the large success of the multi-purpose Z-95 Headhunter line by Incom/Subro Corporation, the Galactic Republic commissioned a variant Headhunter model specifically for its clone trooper pilots. The result was the clone Z-95 starfighter, which earned the more common name "Headhunter starfighter" after its base model. Although more maneuverable than the heavy-duty ARC-170 starfighter, the Z-95 starfighter's similar controls to its fellow Incom/Subro product nevertheless led to many clone pilots being cross-trained in both craft before joining the Republic Navy. Alongside other starfighter models like the ARC-170 starfighter and the V-19 Torrent starfighter, the Z-95 starfighter was pressed into Republic service against the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars, becoming known for its agility on the battlefield.

Around 21 BBY, the second year of the war, Z-95 starfighters were among a Jedi-led task force dispatched to retake the planet Umbara, whose Umbaran people had recently seceded from the Republic and joined the Confederacy. Several Z-95 starfighters saw action alongside BTL-B Y-wing starfighters under the command of Jedi Commanders Ahsoka Tano and Barriss Offee, who led a lightning strike against a Munificent-class star frigate of the Separatist armada that was blockading Umbara. Once the Separatist frigate had fallen, the Republic's Star Destroyers smashed through the enemy blockade and moved in to deploy their forces on Umbara. Z-95 starfighters accompanied the space gunships ferrying Jedi General Anakin Skywalker's 501st Legion to the surface of Umbara, providing support against Umbaran starfighters from the Umbaran militia. Headhunter starfighters also served with Jedi General Pong Krell, escorting his gunship when he traveled to inform Skywalker of new orders from the Jedi High Council during the course of the battle.

As the Republic targeted an orbital Separatist supply ship that was supporting the defenses of Umbara's capital city, squadrons of Z-95 starfighters and BTL-B Y-wing starfighters were deployed against the much larger Separatist fleet. Engaging in dogfights with Umbaran and droid starfighters, the Z-95 and Y-wing squadrons took heavy losses until the intervention of Advanced Recon Commando Fives and 501st troopers Jesse and Hardcase, who stole several Umbaran starfighters from a captured Umbaran airbase and used them to destroy the heavily guarded supply ship. The destruction of the supply ship led to an eventual Republic victory on Umbara, with the Umbaran militia forced to surrender control of their world.

Behind the scenes
"A multi-purpose starfighter, the Z-95 has spawned countless variants, with the Republic making its own mark on the Headhunter's large production run with a clone trooper-specific model."

- Encyclopedia entry for the clone Z-95 starfighter

The clone Z-95 starfighter was developed for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series and was first featured in the episodes "Darkness on Umbara" and "Plan of Dissent," which aired with the series' fourth season in October and November 2011. The episode guide for "Darkness on Umbara" on StarWars.com initially designated it as the "Z-85 Headhunter," implying that it was a variant of the Z-95 Headhunter, but this was later changed to "Headhunter starfighter." The starfighter's entry in the StarWars.com Encyclopedia attributed its current designation and clarified that it was a variant of the mainstream Headhunter line.