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Interceptor · Rebel Alliance
A-wing
A small, quick Rebel interceptor, flown by a lone pilot with no astromech droid to help.
- Model
- RZ-1 A-wing interceptor
- Maker
- Kuat Systems Engineering
- Length
- 6.9 m
- Width
- 4.47 m
- Height
- 2.47 m
- Crew
- 1 pilot, no astromech droid
- Top speed in atmosphere
- 1,300 km/h
- Hyperdrive
- class 1
- Shields
- yes
- Armament
- 2 pivoting laser cannons · 2 concussion missile launchers
Rebel AllianceNew RepublicResistanceCompare on the scale
Overview
The A-wing is the Rebel Alliance's interceptor: a small, fast fighter built to strike and get away. At 6.9 metres it is about half the length of an X-wing, and it flies with a single pilot and no astromech droid[1]. Kuat Systems Engineering first built it as the R-22 prototype, hoping the Empire would buy it; Rebel engineers then modified the prototypes into the RZ-1[2].
A-wings first fly for the Rebels in Return of the Jedi, where Green Squadron takes them into the Battle of Endor[2]. Phoenix Squadron flies them in Star Wars Rebels, and a larger RZ-2 version serves the Resistance in The Last Jedi[2].
Length 6.9 m
Width 4.47 m
How it flies and fights
Speed is the point of the A-wing. It reaches about 1,300 km/h in an atmosphere, and despite its small size it has a class 1 hyperdrive and deflector shields[2]. Two pivoting laser cannons, one on each side of the hull, handle dogfights, while two launchers carry 12 concussion missiles in all for harder targets[2].
Who flew it
Chronicle
Key moments in the ship's life, in story order. Spoilers stay hidden until you mark the title as watched in the timeline.
-
4 BBY
Darth Vader, flying a prototype TIE Advanced, shoots down most of Phoenix Squadron's A-wings and the flagship Phoenix Home. The fleet has to flee[3].
-
4 ABY
Episode VI — Return of the Jedi
Spoiler from Episode VI — Return of the JediShowyou've watched it
At Endor, Arvel Crynyd's damaged A-wing crashes into the bridge of the Executor, and the Super Star Destroyer plunges into the second Death Star[2].
-
34 ABY
Tallie Lintra's A-wings and X-wings cover Resistance bombers as they attack a First Order Siege Dreadnought above D'Qar[1].
Where it flew
Where to see the A-wing
Films, series and games with the A-wing, in story order.
Star Wars RebelsAnimated series · 2014–2018The crew of the starship Ghost takes on the Empire, and young Ezra Bridger discovers the Force.
Episode VI — Return of the JediMovie · 1983The rebels attack the second Death Star, and Luke faces Darth Vader and the Emperor.
Battlefront IIGame · 2017
Episode VIII — The Last JediMovie · 2017Rey seeks out Luke Skywalker, while the Resistance tries to escape the First Order's fleet.
Variants
R-22 prototype and RZ-1T trainer
Kuat built the R-22 hoping to sell it to the Empire. Rebels modified the prototypes into the RZ-1 and the two-seat RZ-1T trainer, seen in Star Wars Rebels, where the A-wing wears blue and white[2].
RZ-2 A-wing
A larger New Republic and Resistance version, about 7.7 metres long, with cannons that traverse a full 360 degrees and easier maintenance. The Resistance flies it in The Last Jedi[2].
Behind the scenes
- Joe Johnston designed the A-wing for Return of the Jedi, and ILM's Wesley Seeds and Lorne Peterson built the model. It was named for being the first of two new Rebel fighters, the 'A fighter'[2].
- Concept artist Ralph McQuarrie's blue-and-white paint idea, unused in the film, became the colour scheme of the A-wings in Star Wars Rebels[2].
Did you know
- With no astromech droid aboard, the A-wing is hard to fly, so only the best Rebel pilots were given one[2].
