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Star Wars: This Is What You Get When You Try To Replace The Most Iconic Ship In The Galaxy- The T-70 X-Wing Breakdown

3 Minute Read
Aug 29 2021
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The X-Wing is the most iconic ship in all of Star Wars, but in the Sequel Trilogy they tried to replace it, lets take a look at what we got – the T-70.

When it comes to ships there are icons, and then there are icons. And then there is the T-65B X-wing starfighter. This is a ship well-known even in the most remote corners of the galaxy. The ones that would be the furthest away from any theoretical brightest spot in the universe.Even there the name and deeds of the X-wing are legendary.

With its distinguishing x-pattern s-foils, the T-65b X-wing turned the tide of the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. It’s hard to say that a single ship could mean so much to so many. But without it, the Rebel Alliance would have been destroyed in one fell swoop. The Dark Side of the Force would have reigned under Emperor Palpatine.

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t-70 x-wing black 1Poe Dameron’s T-70 W-Wing “Black 1”

T-70 X-Wing Design

They say that you can’t improve upon perfection, but the engineers at Incom-FreiTek Corporation certainly decided to try. And the results of that attempt came to be realized in the T-70 X-wing Starfighter. It was a faster, more versatile–and also more expensive and more complex–version of its predecessor. Featuring more advanced technology, the result of advances in miniaturization and power draw over the years since the Battle of Yavin. The new T-70 X-wing starfighter cuts quite a different silhouette.

t-70 x-wing

A bit part of this is due to the engines. Four Incom-FreiTek 5L5 fusial thrust Split-engines afforded the new starfighter considerable maneuverability in space. Atmosphere maneuverability is increased as well, thanks to the calibrated retrothrusters with built-in electromagnetic gyros. It meant the T-70s engines were smaller, split in half even, and you can see the difference.

t-70 x-wing dogfight

The fighter also boasted more maneuverable S-foils. These which allowed the T-70 X-Wing a much improved field of fire than the standard T-65. It also featured more powerful laser cannons: Taim & Bak KX12 laser cannons, to be precise. These boasted more powerful blasts, as well as more energy-efficient power draws.

t-70 x-wing

Then there’s the underslung blaster cannon.  The variable ordnance launcher which was capable of firing miniaturized proton torpedos, concussion missiles, or mag-pulse launchers. It integrated quick-change magazine which could allow a pilot to hot-swap their payload during missions.

Service History

The T-70 X-wing starfighter was first revealed in the Battle of Jakku. In the years following the New Republic’s ascension, corruption was rampant.  A general policy of disarmament meant that production of the T-70 would slow.

Fortunately General Leia Organa’s Resistance would employ many of these new starfighters in their fleet. They proved to be just as important to the Resistance as the T-65B was to the Rebellion.

May the Force Be With You

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Author: J.R. Zambrano
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