X-83 TwinTail starfighter

X-83 TwinTail starfighter

The X-83 TwinTail starfighter was a model of X-wing-series starfighter used in the time of Darth Krayt's rise to power. Manufactured by Incom Corporation, the X-83 was the primary starfighter of the New Jedi Order as of 130 ABY. Drawing from the strengths of its lineage, the X-83 was balanced in durability and firepower, with top of the line weapons systems and strong deflector shields and hull. It was a particularly maneuverable fighter as well, in atmosphere or vacuum.

The X-83 incorporated its astromech droid into its frame, giving the ship its own "personality" if not given routine memory wipes. The fighter was primarily used in front-line combat, where it was a match for most fighters, including the Predator-class fighter, on a one-to-one basis.

Characteristics
The X-83 was the successor to Incom's X-wing line of starfighters, and as of 137 ABY, the latest model of that series. It was built with many of the original X-wing's design principles in mind, including that model's versatility of role and its armament of four laser cannons, one at the tip of each wing, as well as the former models' iconic split-wing architecture that formed the craft's distinctive X-shaped profile.

The X-83 was a balanced fighter, capable of assuming a number of roles due to its combination of firepower and durability. The fighter's shields were comparable to those of a transport or light frigate, and were able to absorb a good deal of fire before they failed. Its hull, too, was stronger than most shuttles.

The fighter's strengths also lay in its weaponry, which were at the top of their field. With four laser cannons whose fire could be linked or fired in sequence, the X-83 could produce a high-energy blast that would destroy any target. The fighter was also equipped with proton torpedoes. In one-on-one combat, the X-83 was easily superior to most fighters, and even when outnumbered was capable of inflicting heavy damage on the enemy. In deep space or atmosphere, the X-83 was also unmatched in maneuverability; it was this aspect that made it the favored fighter of the New Jedi Order.

The astromech droid of the X-83 was hardwired into the ship; without frequent memory wipes the craft could develop a personality of its own, with the droid exerting its own control over the ship's electronic systems. This gained the ship a reputation for quirkiness, though some X-83 pilots intentionally allowed it to happen, believing that the performance and response of their ship improved when the astromech could anticipate their actions.

X-83 pilots wore a flight suit that could be sealed against vacuum, and in an emergency they could jettison themselves from the cockpit. The windows of the X-83's cockpit extended to the sides and somewhat behind the pilot. The cockpit was similarly lined with panels on all sides, and the pilot used two control yokes to operate the fighter.

Role
The X-83 earned a reputation for durability, and it was well suited to front-line service. X-83 squadrons were often used to take the initial brunt of an attack, absorbing damage from enemy forces so the weaker fighters they were supporting could pass through unharmed. Jedi Shuttles also carried a single X-83 in their holds, which could be used as an escort.

History
The X-83 was developed some time before 130 ABY, and by that year it had become frequently used by the Jedi. When a shuttle carrying a number of Padawans escaped the massacre at Ossus, one of its passengers, Cade Skywalker, took the shuttle's X-83 to fight off pursuing Imperial Predator-class starfighters. Skywalker was able to hold off the enemy craft as the shuttle prepared to leap to hyperspace, and in the end sacrificed his X-83, jettisoning himself from the fighter at the last moment.

Behind the scenes
The X-83 was designed by Jan Duursema for the Star Wars: Legacy comic series. It bears some visual similarities to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, both fighters having a similar design in their twin boom/twin tail structures and similar names.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Legacy 1: Broken, Part 1
 * Star Wars Legacy 6: Broken, Part 5
 * Star Wars Legacy 7: Broken, Part 6
 * Star Wars Legacy 12: Ghosts, Part 2