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Delta-7Aethersprite-class light interceptor

<Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor

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Delta-7Aethersprite-class light interceptor

Production information

Model

Delta-7Aethersprite-class light interceptor

Type

Starfighter^[3]^[5]

Cost

180,000credits(145,000 credits used)(standard model)^[3]
210,000 credits(160,000 credits used)(High-Maneuver variant)^[6]
385,000 credits(295,000 credits used)(High-Speed variant)^[6]

Technical specifications

Length

8meters^[2]

Width

3.92 meters^[2]

Height/depth

1.44 meters^[2]

Maximum acceleration

5,000 G^[2]

Maximum atmospheric speed

1,150km/h(standard^[3] and High-Maneuver model)^[6]
1,260km/h(High-Speed variant)^[6]

Hyperdrive rating

Class 1.0 (withbooster ring)^[2]

Hyperdrive range

150,000LY^[2]

Hyperdrive system

Syluire-31 hyperspace docking ring^[2]

Shielding

Equipped^[3]

Armament

Taim Co.sds 8/5 dual laser cannons (2)^[7]

Crew

Pilot (1)^[2]^[3]
Astromech droid (1)^[2]^[3]

Passengers

None^[3]^[5]

Cargo capacity

0^[3] - 60kg (0.03 m³)^[2]

Consumables

1week^[3]^[5]

Fuel: 5hrs^[2]
Air: 5 hrs^[2]

Usage

Availability

Military(Jedi / MHC Only)^[3]

Role(s)

Interceptor^[3]
Scout
Elite personneltransport^[3]

Year introduced

By27 BBY^[8]

Affiliation

"She is a remarkable vessel. With the engineering breakthroughs we tackled developing her, she's just the start. She's a real sign of things to come."

―Walex Blissex^[1]

TheDelta-7Aethersprite-class light interceptor, more commonly known as theDelta-7Aethersprite light interceptor orJedi starfighter due to its extensive use byJedi, was aninterceptor commissioned just before the outbreak of theClone Wars in22 BBY.

Thestarfighter was considered highly advanced at the time of its creation and carried sophisticated equipment, but it was expensive to produce. The ship was armed with two twin laser cannons (later models modified by Jedi MasterSaesee Tiin would contain four quad-pulse laser cannons hidden behind breakaway panels, in addition to its usual complement of two twin laser cannons), and an advanced communication and sensor array kept the pilot of the ship well-prepared in firefights as well as peacetime.

The Delta-7 fighter was fairly prominent in the Clone Wars, mainly due to its use by Jedi. One of the most famousencounters and tests of the Delta-7 was the tracking ofbounty hunter Jango Fett byJedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi through theasteroid fields ofGeonosis.

Characteristics[]

"Beautiful ship."

―Jango Fett^[11]

Aethersprite-console — Delta-7 console displaying anunidentified language

Due to their visual similarities, the Delta-7 appeared to be an evolutionary descendant from the ancientAurek-class starfighter: it was a small, sleek interceptor used by theJedi Knights for reconnaissance missions. However, the starfighter was fitted with two twin-barrellaser cannons allowing thepilot to fight when necessary. As part of theRepublic's Judicial Department, the starfighters owned by the Jedi Order were colored in the red and white hues that represented the diplomatic immunity that the Jedi enjoyed, similar to Republic Cruisers. However, some would be painted in other colors as the Clone Wars progressed.

It was designed by engineerWalex Blissex, who would later design theAlpha-3Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter and work on theRebel Alliance's RZ-1 A-wing interceptor withJan Dodonna. Due to limitations in technology at the time of its creation, the starfighter's size did not allow for a built-inhyperdrive, and instead had to rely on other spacecraft or an externalhyperdrive docking ring for faster-than-light travel. (However, at the time of its creation, there were also some prototype Delta-7Aethersprites constructed that had experimental hyperdrive engines built-in.^[12] In addition to this, the standard factory-modelAethersprite could be modified and/or tweaked to have a built-in hyperdrive engine^[13]). TheAethersprite also had very powerful sublight engines, driving it to a maximum acceleration of 5,000 G.^[2]

The very first models ofAethersprite would not allow for a full-sizeastromech droid navigator, as next-generation starfighters, such as theT-65 X-wing, would commonly use (most likely due to the fact that, because of theAethersprite's design and its hull's thinness, a full-sizeastromech socket wouldn't fit). Instead, the astromechdroids were integrated directly into the starfighter, with only the truncated droid's head visible. At least two models of these droids were used, theR3-D, which was used primarily for targeting (needed because the starfighter was so fast that most pilots would not be able to fire correctly and/or accurately), and theR4-P, which was used more for navigation than targeting. Later though, a newer model ofAethersprite, theDelta-7B, would allow for a factory-model astromech-droid navigator.

History[]

Pre-Clone Wars[]

"He-ey, nice ship there, Adi! If you're thinking of selling…"
"This ship is not for sale. It is a prototype that may become a powerful aid to the Jedi."

―Reti andAdi Gallia^[14]

Jedi Starfighter fightmodus — AJedi starfighter complete withSaesee Tiin's modifications in "fight mode".

The Delta-series predated the Jedi's use of the Delta-7, which began testing at around27 BBY, and came into service shortly before the Clone Wars. TheDelta-6 Sprite-class starfighter was used around the time of theInvasion of Naboo, and theDelta-12Skysprite was released on the civilian market following the launch of theOutbound Flight project; it would seem that this starfighter was also tested by the Jedi asObi-Wan Kenobi flew one himself just before the launch.

Saesee Tiin, not pleased with the vessel's already impressive performance, modified a pair of the starfighters to better suit his needs. He managed to increase the starfighter's weaponry by adding fourquad-pulse laser cannons to its usual complement of two dual cannons, which were fitted behind breakaway panels until the pilot chose to enter "fight mode"; this was only done when it was deemed absolutely necessary. In addition to these weapons, Tiin also managed to fit a small Class 3 hyperdrive of his own making, negating the need for a hyperdrive ring unless time was of the essence. He also replaced the regular pilot seat with a more comfortable meditation chair, allowing for a Jedi to enter into their meditations much more easily during long hyperspace journeys.

Jedi MasterAdi Gallia flight-tested one of these Delta-7 prototypes when faced with CaptainCavik Toth and hisTrihexalon fleet, taking it to theKarthakk system shortly before theBattle of Geonosis. It was here that she also learned to use severalForce powers in conjunction with the starfighter, both offensive and defensive.^[14] The resounding success of this mission meant that many of the existing Delta-7s were modified to Tiin's specifications.

Jedi Starfighter AotC — Front view of a Delta-7interceptor.

Obi-Wan flew the other of these prototypes on his mission toAlbecus, also shortly before the Battle of Geonosis, and was attacked byJango Fett in hisSlave I en route. He managed to fight him off thanks to the hidden weaponry and continued on his journey; it seems that the next time Kenobi faced Fett, he was in a regular Delta-7. It is possible that the result would have been very different if he had been in the same prototype.

Several hues emerged due to individual customization during the Clone Wars.Anakin Skywalker extensively modifiedAzure Angel, adding large turbine engines, an internal hyperdrive, and a paint scheme reminiscent of that used onhis podracer onTatooine.^[15] Some Delta-7s even included a bomb chute in the rear or a forwardseismic charge launcher, although these were rare.^[10]

The Clone Wars[]

Jedi Starfighters Kamino — Jedi starfighters onKamino.

More extensive deviations from the standard Delta-7 also existed, and unlike Anakin's personal craft they were available in limited numbers fromKuat Systems Engineering. Jedi wishing to avoid clashes with enemy forces sometimes used a high-speed variant. This version of the fighter featured greatly enhanced acceleration as well as an increase in maximum velocity from 1,150 kilometers per hour to 1,260 kilometers per hour. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Jedi expecting to engage in heavy dog-fights would often employ the Delta-7s high-maneuver variant. Modified using advice collected from various Jedi pilots (includingAnakin Skywalker andPlo Koon), the high-maneuver version of the ship was known to aggravate droid starfighters during combat.

As Delta-7s were lost in battle, they were replaced byDelta-7Bs. The main modification of the 7B series was that the droid socket was centered. This allowed unmodified, detachable astromechs (R2 series and higher) to be used. This move was popular amongst most Jedi, and the trait was carried on to the Eta-2s.Plo Koon also flew aDelta-7B.

Towards the end of the Clone Wars, manufacturerKuat Drive Yards developed a more refined starfighter— theEta-2Actis-class interceptor— based on experience gained from the Delta-7Aethersprite. These fighters were used in large numbers during the Clone Wars, including theBattle of Coruscant. A number of Delta-7 starfighters remained in use by the Jedi after the introduction of the Eta-2, including Plo Koon'spersonal starfighter, as he preferred the Delta-7 to the point that he continued to use it untilhis death atCato Neimoidia. Several years after the Clone Wars ended, Kuat sold the entire Delta line toSienar Fleet Systems. Afterwards, the Delta-7 would be phased out.

Galactic Civil War[]

Most Delta-7s were lost in action during the Clone Wars, and many that survived have languished for decades in hangars and scrapyards throughout theOuter Rim.^[16]Wedge Antilles would later retrieve an abandoned Delta-7 after his X-Wing crash-landed on Geonosis sometime after theBattle of Hoth in theThird Battle of Geonosis during theGalactic Civil War. As he needed a way to escape the planet after being attacked by aRepublic gunship piloted bySarkli, the exterior was relatively undamaged, and his R5 unit repowered it. Afterwards, he utilized itsVoid-7 seismic charges to destroy two Storm Commando-ownedImperial escort carriers, and also eliminating several squadrons ofTie bombers,Tie Interceptors, andTie fighters before promptly retreating alongside the Rebels via a hyperspace ring. It was later stored in a starfighter hangar.^[10]

The design of the Delta-7 later evolved into theR-22 Spearhead and theRZ-1 A-wing interceptor of the Galactic Civil War.

Behind the scenes[]

Tumblr no5i1oOZz21s6w6foo1 1280 — Concept art byDoug Chiang

Delta-7Aethersprite-class light interceptors first appeared in2002 with the release ofStar Wars: Episode IIAttack of the Clones and its tie-ins.

The starfighter was originally conceived as a "Stormtrooper Fighter", which would have linked both thePrequel andOriginal trilogies together.^[17]

Jedi starfighters appear in the2002 video gameStar Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns. They are the Galactic Republic special units and are produced at Fortresses.

InStar Wars: Episode IIAttack of the Clones Obi-Wan's starfighter's in-cockpit display screen displays information using theStar Wars '76 script, notAurebesh.