Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor/Legends

Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor The Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor, more commonly known as the Jedi starfighter, was a starfighter from around the time of the Clone Wars.

Possibly, due to their visual similarities, it is an evolution over the ancient Republic interceptor; it was a small, sleek interceptor used by the Jedi Knights for reconnaissance missions. However, the starfighter was fitted with two twin-barrel laser cannons allowing the pilot to fight when necessary. As part of the Republic's Judicial Department, the starfighters owned by the Jedi Order were colored in the red and white hues that represented the diplomatic immunity that the Jedi enjoyed.

The Delta-7 was designed by engineer Walex Blissex, who would later design the Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter and work on the Rebel Alliance's RZ-1 A-wing interceptor with Jan Dodonna.

The Aethersprite was too small for a hyperdrive, instead relying on other spacecraft or an external hyperdrive ring for faster-than-light travel. The size of the craft also would not allow for a factory model astromech droid navigator, as future starfighters such as the X-wing used. Instead, astromech droids were integrated directly into the starfighter, with only the droid's truncated heads visible. The Aethersprite had very powerful sublight engines, driving it to a maximum acceleration of 5,000g.



The Delta-series pre-dated the Jedi's use of the Delta-7, which began testing at around 27 BBY, and came into service shortly before the Clone Wars. The Delta-6 starfighter was used at the time of the Battle of Naboo, and the Delta-12 Skysprite was released on the civilian market following the launch of the Outbound Flight Project. Jedi Master Adi Gallia flight-tested a Delta-7 prototype when faced with Captain Cavik Toth and his Trihexalon fleet. Thanks to this trial, Saesee Tiin made several modifications to the starfighters for increased performance.

Stationed in the hangar bays of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and other facilities, Aethersprites were assigned to all field Jedi. General-use starfighters were colored in turquoise, and starfighters coded for use by specific Jedi were colored red. Other hues emerged due to individual customization during the Clone Wars. Anakin Skywalker extensively modified his Delta-7, adding large turbine engines, an internal hyperdrive, and a paint scheme reminiscent of that used on his podracer on Tatooine. Plo Koon also flew a customized Delta-7.

Towards the end of the Clone Wars, manufacturer Kuat Drive Yards developed a more refined starfighter&mdash;the Eta-2 Actis-class interceptor&mdash;based on experience gained from the Delta-7 Aethersprite. These fighters were used in large numbers during the Clone Wars, including the Battle of Coruscant. Several years after the Clone Wars ended, Kuat sold the entire Delta line to Sienar Fleet Systems.

Wedge Antilles, a Rebel pilot, would later use a Delta-7 after crashing on Geonosis sometime after the Battle of Hoth in the Second Battle of Geonosis during the Galactic Civil War. What happened to this Delta-7 is unknown.

The design of the Delta-7 later evolved into the R-22 Spearhead of the Galactic Civil War.

Appearances



 * Star Wars: Battlefront
 * Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * Chapter 1
 * Chapter 2
 * Chapter 4
 * Chapter 10
 * Chapter 11
 * Chapter 16
 * General Grievous
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike