TIE/Ad x7

TIE Advanced x7 The TIE Advanced x7, also known as the TIE/Ad Defender prototype, was a prototype for the TIE/D Defender developed at Sienar Fleet Systems' Advanced Research Division on Corulag.

Characteristics
Intended only to serve as a testbed for the Defender's drive system and primary weapon targeting system, The TIE/Ad x7 lacked the ion cannons and missile launchers that were implemented on the eventual TIE Defender design. Nevertheless, decades of experience and advances in TIE technology went in to the construction, resulting in a starfighter that was a radical departure from previous models in terms of appearance and performance.

The Advanced x7 featured three solar panels arranged around the spherical, central cockpit, which gave a large boost to the ship's power plant, allowing the ion engines to achieve speeds only previously possible in a light interceptor model. Additionally, triple arrays of maneuvering jets mounted on the solar collectors gave the starfighter a high level of agility in flight and combat.

History
The TIE/Ad x7 was one of the last TIE prototypes developed prior to the fall of the Galactic Empire.