Eta-5 interceptor

Eta-5 interceptor

The Eta-5 interceptor was a type of snubfighter in use by the New Jedi Order and the Galactic Alliance Navy as of 40 ABY. Developed by Kuat Drive Yards, it was a descendant of the Eta-2 interceptor, but it was also regarded as a type of A-wing.

The Eta-5 possessed a pair of wing arrays similar to its Eta-2 predecessor, but had an overall hull shape in line with A-Wings. It was powered by twin ion engines, giving it top of the line speed and maneuverability, but it had low armor and minimal shielding. It was equipped with dual fire-linked concussion missile launchers, laser cannons, and advanced computer targeting systems, giving it considerable punching power when it needed to engage small capital ships.

Wedge Antilles's daughter, Syal Antilles, flew this model when she entered the Galactic Alliance military under the name of Lysa Dunter. She joined VibroSword Squadron.

Rhysati Ynr made use of an Eta-5 during Lando Calrissian's mission to prevent the destruction of Kessel. She loaned it briefly to Wedge Antilles when he expressed an interest in flying it.

Behind the scenes
In Fury, Syal Antilles reflects that her combat experience has been limited to "A-wings and Alephs". As she had seen battle in Eta-5s and Alephs in the earlier novel Betrayal, this has the unexpected implication that the Eta-5 was in fact a derivative of the earlier RZ-1 A-wing interceptor from Incom Corporation.

Alternatively, it is possible that "A-wing" is here being used more loosely to describe a design outwardly resembling the RZ-1 in appearance: the name has been applied to the Aurek fighter of the Old Sith Wars, and in a retcon, early appearances of the classic "A-wing" in canon are explained as representing a separate prototype design the R-22 Spearhead.

Appearances

 * Betrayal
 *  Fury
 * ''Outcast