Eta-2Actis-class interceptor

Eta-2Actis-class interceptor

TheEta-2Actis-class interceptor, also known as theJedi interceptor orJedi starfighter due to its extensive use byJedipilots, was aRepublicstarfighter used late in theClone Wars that shared design elements with theRepublic'sDelta-7 andDelta-7Bstarfighters, as well as theTIE fighters of the laterGalactic Empire. TheGalactic Alliance would later come to utilize a successor, theEta-5 interceptor.

Characteristics[]

At 5.47 meters in length, the Eta-2 was significantly shorter than the already diminutive Delta-7. The new fighter's mass was further reduced by removing much of the forward space-frame, leaving the front of the ship in a forked shape. Like its predecessor, it was also too small to hold an onboardhyperdrive. Because of this, the Eta-2 had to rely on carrier vessels orSyliure-45 hyperdrive modules for long-distance travel. However, theActis did have a fullastromech droidsocket, instead of a truncated unit as was seen in the early models ofAethersprite starfighters.

Like the simultaneously developedARC-170 andAlpha-3Nimbus-class V-wing starfighters, the Eta-2 incorporatedS-foils to radiate excess engine heat in the thick of combat, reducing the likelihood of damage to the craft. Occasionally, though not always, the lifting panels were opened during normal flight to further reduce stress on the engines.

Such a design element carried with it certain flaws, however; this area of the hull was lightly armored, and extremely vulnerable to laser fire andbuzz droid sabotage.^[2]

This design element would be carried on through the radiator panels of laterTIE fighters which, unlike the Eta-2's foils, were locked in static positions but essentially served the same purpose.

Thanks mostly to the fact that its development occurred in the midst of a galactic civil war, the Eta-2 had more firepower at its disposal than the Delta-7 and Delta-7B—two largelaser cannons and twoion cannons. While the size of its guns provided it with respectable firepower, the fighter's limited power systems restricted its ability to fire continuously.Raith Sienar'stwin ion engine design allowed the Eta-2 to achieve a maximum acceleration of 5,200 g. Unlike the Delta-7 and Delta-7B, the standard Eta-2 was not equipped withshields, as Sienar reasoned that agility and speed were its best defense. However, a later variant did include shields, as well as slightly heavier armor and a stronger hull.^[5]

History[]

Clone Wars[]

The Eta-2Actis was designed byKuat Systems Engineering, following up on its success with theAethersprite. It included and improved upon many design elements of the latter. The only prominent drawback was apparent in the removal ofshields, though this trade-off reduced production cost and lightened the craft. A number of Jedi Knights voiced strong opposition to the new craft's lack of shielding, causing a shielded and more resilient variant to be developed.^[5] More importantly, it was much smaller than its predecessor, allowing far more Eta-2 ships to fit into hangars that could only hold a handful of Delta-7 and Delta-7B craft. The standard fighter complement of aVenator-class Star Destroyer included 192 Eta-2 interceptors.

The first prototype of the craft was deployed during the initial skirmishes with theValahari people, and the craft was used byAnakin Skywalker to combat the advancedTempest Zero starfighter used byTofen Vane. The prototype proved itself in theBattle of the Veil Nebula where it managed to shoot down Vane's craft and thus aid in a Republic victory against theSeparatist forces. This concept led to much wider production and widespread deployment in theRepublic Navy than the Delta-7 and Delta-7B had seen, since the Delta-7 and Delta-7B had been designed exclusively for the Jedi. It would also inspire the design and size rules that made the TIE fighters of the later Empire so cheap, modular, and effective.

Eta-2s that were flown by the Jedi were usually stripped down for even faster performance. Heavy sensors and flight instruments were removed, since they were unnecessary for a pilot with precognitiveForce abilities. While most Jedi pilots flew Eta-2s more in line with the factory standard, such asObi-Wan Kenobi, whose fighters were red- or blue-hued against a white undercoat, some chose to customize theirs with unorthodox color schemes.Anakin Skywalker's first craft was painted a bright yellow color against a metallic undercoat. He maintained that this was a tribute to his childhoodpodracer, but some believed that the bright hue was designed to draw attention to himself in battle. Unfortunately, Skywalker lost his fighter in theBattle of Coruscant, and he later flew temporarily under a more standard green and white paint scheme, which he used in theMission to Mustafar.Saesee Tiin's interceptor was green, andMace Windu's had purple coloring.

Kuat Systems Engineering made sure to provide the Jedi with variants of the Eta-2 within months of its introduction. After making so many different versions of theDelta-7Aethersprite-class light interceptor, the manufacturers tested new models even before receiving feedback from Jedi pilots using the Eta-2 in actual combat. The first of these was a high-maneuver variant based on a similar modification to the Delta-7. Later, a heavy-defense variant was also created after renowned pilotSaesee Tiin removed a number of unnecessary offensive systems from his own Eta-2. Although unpopular at first, this version of the starfighter gained a more positive reputation after it saw use during theBattle of Coruscant.

During the late stages of the Clone Wars, another variant was introduced. It was equipped with a triad of thrusters, and lacked an astromech socket. This version was primarily flown byclone pilots.^[6]

Imperial era[]

The Eta-2 became one of the first starfighter models in use by theImperial Navy. Squadrons of Eta-2s flew in formation above Coruscant as part of the security detail after the Galactic Empire had been established.^[11]When Anakin Skywalker becameDarth Vader, he would receive anew black Eta-2. Vader piloted this Eta-2 during some of his early missions forEmperorPalpatine as theGreat Jedi Purge continued, sometimes flanked by V-wing starfighters. Vader was assisted in the new fighter byR4-K5.^[12]

Elements of the Eta-2Actis design were used in the creation of theSienar Fleet Systems line of TIE starfighters—most notably the vertical radiator panels and twin ion engines, as well as the spoked viewing port; this was expanded in the Eta-2's TIE successor to become the fighter's main viewport.

However, the greatest legacy of theActis-class was the philosophy behind it—that smaller, more nimble, unshielded, and relatively under-equipped fighters, when mass-produced, could be ultimately more effective than a lesser quantity of costlier, bulkier, well-armed, and better-protected starfighters. This had been demonstrated in theBattle of Coruscant where more heavy fighters suffered significant losses at the hands of lighter, more agile fighters. This opinion principally ushered in the dominance of the TIE series, and inevitably spurred the phasing-out of superior-quality fighters like the ARC-170.

This decision would come back to haunt theImperial Navy, however, when the ARC-170's successor, theT-65 X-wing starfighter, proved superior to the TIE/LN swarms of the Empire and was pivotal in the defeat of the Empire in theGalactic Civil War. One difference between the Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War was that most Eta-2 pilots were Jedi and were able to survive due to the Force and good skill; TIE pilots were well-trained, but few—if any—had an affinity for the Force and so casualty rates were higher than in the Clone Wars. Most Eta-2 pilots gaining experience were able to hone their skills to veteran levels, but the high casualty rate of TIE pilots prevented them from developing any further.

During the Galactic Civil War, some Eta-2s still remained operational in the Imperial Navy and were reserved for skilled pilots. Others were captured and used by theRebel Alliance and other various parties, with similar requirements.^[13] TheLonely Five, owned byJedi KnightRachi Sitra, was used by the Rebel Alliance.^[14]

Design legacy[]

During the establishment of theGalactic Alliance, a successor series known as theEta-5 interceptor was used in theSecond Galactic Civil War.^[15]

Behind the scenes[]

Designed forRevenge of the Sith, the Eta-2 interceptor is one of many aspects of the film designed to bridge the gap betweenRotS and theoriginal trilogy. Intended to be reminiscent of both TIE Fighters and Vader'sTIE Advanced x1 fromA New Hope, the designers of the fighter included the segmented cockpit window of the original TIE Fighter as well as the bent wing formation and targeting systems seen on Vader's personal starfighter inANH.

The prototype Eta-2 model that Anakin Skywalker pilots in theHero of the Confederacy arc is based on actual concept art of the Eta-2 designed forEpisode III: Revenge of the Sith; this artwork can be viewed in the 2005 bookThe Art of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.^[16]

There is some discrepancy about when the Eta-2s were introduced. In the2005 seriesStar Wars: Clone Wars, Anakin is first shown pilotinghis interceptor, immediately after his knighthood ceremony inChapter 21. On the other hand, a later source,The Clone Wars 12, shows the first prototype of the Eta-2 when Anakin is already well into his knighthood and has Ahsoka as hisPadawan.

InLabyrinth of Evil, Anakin's and Obi-Wan's Eta-2 interceptors are described as being equipped with missile launchers. This discrepancy with official technical specifications has not yet been explained, but is partially answered with a source listed below. The Hasbro-brand Jedi Starfighter action vehicles feature launching missiles, and in the Star Wars PocketModels Trading Card Game, a game piece depicting Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Interceptor is indicated as carrying proton torpedoes. Eta-2s inStar Wars: Battlefront II also include missile launchers; this is attributable to game mechanics, as the standard vessel is not equipped with them.Starships of the Galaxy explains that some few Eta-2s were equipped with up to four concussion missiles. This was a rare modification that usually required removal of the ion cannons and was only carried out for special missions.

Moreover, inconsistencies regarding the actual placement of the laser cannons have arisen in certain sources; inStar Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron andDarth Vader and the Lost Command 2, the laser cannons are shown to occupy what should be the ion cannon positions. In the former source, missile launchers are shown to be placed between the forward tines, reinforcingLabyrinth of Evil's statement. However, both cases could be defined as game mechanics and special modifications respectively.

Appearances[]

Explore all of Wookieepedia'simages for this article subject. Star Wars: Battlefront II Star Wars: Clone Wars — "Chapter 21" The Clone Wars 12(Prototype) Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Sabotage" Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Rise of Clovis"(Prototype model) Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Voices" "Hotshot" —Star Wars: The Clone Wars Comic 6.54 Star Wars: Clone Wars — "Chapter 22" Obsession 1(First appearance) Obsession 2 Obsession 3 Obsession 4 Republic 74 Republic 76 Republic 77 Labyrinth of Evil "The Brink" — Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 4 "Means and Ends" — Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 6 Star Wars: Clone Wars — "Chapter 23" Star Wars: Clone Wars — "Chapter 25" Star Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith Star Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith junior novelization Star Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith video game Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 1 Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 2 Obi-Wan's Foe Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 3 Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith 4 Republic 78 Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader(andunabridged audiobook) Darth Vader and the Lost Command 2 Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows 4 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (PS3, X-box and PC versions only) (Wreckage) Rebellion 3 Star Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader Dark Nest III: The Swarm War(Appears in hologram) Millennium Falcon(andaudiobook) Fate of the Jedi: Outcast(andaudiobook)(Mentioned only)

Non-canon appearances[]

• LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
• LEGO Star Wars: Revenge of the Brick
• "Evil Eyes" —Star Wars Manga: Black
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
• LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

Sources[]

Notes and references[]

External links[]

• Eta-2 Actis Interceptor on theSWG Wiki