V-wing airspeeder

V-wing airspeeder

TheV-wing airspeeder was a combatairspeeder developed by theNew Republic to replace agingcloud cars and allow more expensivestarfighters to focus on space combat.

Characteristics[]

TheVerpineSlayn & Korpil hive colonies, famous for their development of theB-wing starfighter, designed the V-wingairspeeder. The airspeeder's standardrepulsorlift system was paired with efficient ion afterburners to provide the V-wing with fantastic speed.

The single-pilot craft's top combat speed was 1,000 kilometers per hour. Additionally, when the powerfulChab-Ylwoumscramjet booster was employed, the craft's top speed was increased to 1,400 kilometers per hour. Braking and maneuvering flaps were at the rear of the craft. Heat dispersal fins were placed between the engines.^[4] Unfortunately, combat at such a speed was potentially dangerous, and overuse of the scramjet could cause dangerous overheating of the drive system, so the scramjet was reserved for hasty retreats. The V-wing's lack of shields required the pilot to use the craft's size and speed against enemy speeders and starfighters.

The V-wing's weapon systems had two fire-linkedblaster cannons on either side of the vehicle^[4] with an effective range of two kilometers. The blaster cannons also had a rapid-fire setting that worked well againstshielded targets, but after approximately three seconds of continuous fire, the cannons would overheat.

Because of their unusually high flight ceiling, V-wings could be deployed from both ground-based hangars and from hangar-equipped starships. When deployed from space, the airspeeder relied onV-wing Speeder Transports which were capable of carrying up to four (later models carrying six) V-wings for transport into planetaryatmospheres. A large capital ship could carry up to ten of these transports, allowing dozens of V-wings to be rapidly deployed to a world under siege.^[2] The craft also had a refueling port, located on the starboard stern.^[4]

History[]

As the struggle with the remnants of the Empire continued, New Republic military acknowledged the need for a low cost and low maintenance vehicle for planetary defense. The V-wing, with its rapid deployment, high speed and low cost, was the solution.

The V-wing saw its first combat action at theBattle of Calamari in10 ABY.^[6]Wedge Antilles and his fellow pilots ofRogue Squadron flew the craft and disabled three smallerWorld Devastators.^[4]

The V-wing also saw action in theBattle of Coruscant to theYuuzhan Vong. The V-wings were highly effective against the incoming atmospheric craft but were simply overwhelmed through sheer numbers.^[7]

Behind the scenes[]

The V-wing airspeeder first appeared in theStar Wars: Dark Empire comic book.

The V-wing has a missile launcher with sixcluster missiles in the gameStar Wars: Rogue Squadron,^[8] but it is absent from the V-wing entries in any reference books.^[2][5] It seems likely that the missile launcher is not consideredcanonical, but is simply an artifact of game mechanics.

The design of the V-wing was recycled from an early design of theT-47 airspeeder.

Appearances[]

• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
• Dark Empire audio drama
• Dark Empire 2(First appearance)
• Dark Empire 3
• Dark Empire 4
• The New Jedi Order: Star by Star

Sources[]

Explore all of Wookieepedia'simages for this article subject.

• Dark Empire Sourcebook
• A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded
• "Operator's Manual" —Star Wars Galaxy Magazine 6
• The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels
•  1997 ToppsStar Wars VehiclesCard: V-wing Airspeeder
• Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide
• The Essential Chronology
• A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, Third Edition, Revised and Expanded
• Wings, Walkers, and Whatnot onWizards.com(original site is defunct)
• Arms & Equipment Guide
• The New Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels
• "The Starships of Episode III" —Star Wars Insider 82
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia

Notes and references[]