The TIE/rb heavy starfighter,[3] more formally known as the TIE reinforcement battery heavy starfighter,[2] and simply known as the heavy TIE fighter, TIE Brute, or the Infiltrator was a variant of the TIE line starfighters used by the Galactic Empire, distinguished by its extra pod housing more powerful laser cannons.[3]
Characteristics[edit | edit source]

A TIE Brute
The TIE/rb heavy starfighter was an Imperial craft of the TIE line.[2]
Unlike the regular TIE/LN starfighter, it was equipped with life support and a pressure controlled cockpit. As the fighter was theorized to be a larger target, the viewport was made of extra-reinforced transparisteel.[2]
History[edit | edit source]
The prototype was created by Sienar Fleet Systems in response to the Empire's expansion into the Outer Rim Territories.[2]
Some Imperial admirals were wary of its development, believing it would reduce the need for larger support vessels. Like all TIE models, they were manufactured by Sienar Fleet Systems, and featured twin ion engines and micro-corrugated[1] solar collector panels,[4] with the power being transferred via a conduit located between the panel and the engine systems. The pilot was assisted by a droid intelligence system, which acted in a similar manner to an astromech counterpart.[1]
At least three of the starfighters were assigned to the Kullgroon garrison. They were deployed during the uprising on the planet led by Captain Lando Calrissian and the natives. They were all shot down by L3-37 flying the starship Millennium Falcon.[6]
Cadet Han Solo, during his time at the Carida Academy, was assigned to fly a TIE Brute aboard a[7] Cantwell-class Arrestor Cruiser[8] as part of Onyx Squadron. His ship was damaged during a fight with pirates and crashed in the landing bay, leading to a tribunal.[7]
In 10 BBY,[1] one such fighter was again deployed to chase the Millennium Falcon inside the Akkadese Maelstrom and was the last surviving TIE Fighter pursuing the Falcon until Solo, now an outlaw, used a maneuver he learned from a street racer on Corellia, causing the TIE/rb to crash.[5]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
The TIE/rb was first revealed in the very first look at the Star Wars Anthology Series film Solo: A Star Wars Story, the "Big Game" TV spot released during Super Bowl LII.[9]
Its design, done by James Clyne, was originally proposed for Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. It was added to Solo when the crew decided they needed a "leader" TIE fighter. One of its nicknames was the "Bubba" TIE.[10]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition (First identified as Infiltrator)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story Adaptation 5
- Han Solo - Imperial Cadet 1
- Han Solo - Imperial Cadet 2 (Appears in hologram)
- Han Solo - Imperial Cadet 3
- Lando - Double or Nothing 5
- Star Wars: Starfighter Missions
- Star Wars: Commander (First appearance)
- Star Wars 1
Sources[edit | edit source]
GOT Creators Making New Star Wars Films, Up Close with the Falcon, and YOUR Solo Teaser Reactions! on StarWars.com (backup link)
Solo: A Star Wars Story Books and Comic Revealed on StarWars.com (backup link)
"Big Game" TV Spot - Solo: A Star Wars Story on StarWars.com (backup link)
Official Teaser – Solo: A Star Wars Story on StarWars.com (backup link)
Official Trailer – Solo: A Star Wars Story on StarWars.com (backup link)
Solo: A Star Wars Story "Crew" TV Spot (:45) on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Solo: A Star Wars Story "Risk" TV Spot (:45) on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Becoming Solo - Solo: A Star Wars Story on StarWars.com (backup link)
Solo: A Star Wars Story "Team" TV Spot (:30) on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Solo: A Star Wars Story "Rivals" TV Spot on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Solo: A Star Wars Story | "Lieutenant" TV Spot (:30) on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Solo: A Star Wars Story | "Solo Is" Reviews on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story The Official Guide
- The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story
- TIE Fighter Owners' Workshop Manual (First identified as TIE reinforcement battery heavy starfighter)
- Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition
Star Wars: Build Your Own X-Wing 30 (Starfighter Aces: Han Solo – Scrumrat to Fighter Pilot)
- The Star Wars Book
Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition – TIE/rb Heavy Expansion Pack (Card: Carida Academy Cadet)
Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition – TIE/rb Heavy Expansion Pack (Card: Lyttan Dree)
Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition – TIE/rb Heavy Expansion Pack (Card: Maneuver-Assist MGK-300)
Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition – TIE/rb Heavy Expansion Pack (Card: Onyx Squadron Sentry)
Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition – TIE/rb Heavy Expansion Pack (Card: "Rampage")
Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition – TIE/rb Heavy Expansion Pack (Card: Target-Assist MGK-300)
TIE Brute in the Databank (backup link) (First identified as TIE/rb heavy starfighter)
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Solo: A Star Wars Story The Official Guide
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 TIE Fighter Owners' Workshop Manual
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5
Imperial heavy TIE fighter in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ultimate Star Wars
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Solo: A Star Wars Story
- ↑ Lando - Double or Nothing 5
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition
- ↑ Starships and Speeders
- ↑
"Big Game" TV Spot - Solo: A Star Wars Story on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story
External links[edit | edit source]
Every Starfighter in Star Wars Explained By Lucasfilm | WIRED on the WIRED YouTube channel (backup link)