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Imperial Navy TIE Advanced

Customized to Lord Darth Vader’s specifications, the TIE Advanced x1 prototype was the precursor for both the TIE Advanced/Avenger and the TIE Interceptor.

Before the Battle of Yavin, the Empire believed its Death Star was impervious to attack. However, Darth Vader didn’t underestimate the power of the Force or the skill of the Rebel Alliance and had a TIE Fighter customized for his use as he led a squadron of fighters into battle.

Vader’s TIE Fighter was the TIE Advanced x1. Although armed with laser cannons and two solar panels like the standard TIE Fighter, Vader’s TIE x1 had larger, angular wings, a reinforced durasteel-alloy hull, reinforced support struts, fast recharging Novaldex deflector shields, increased engine capacity, and hyperspace capability.

After the Battle of Yavin, Vader worked with Seinar Fleet Systems to further refine the TIE Advanced and enhance the design. The engine was elongated and in addition to deflector shields and hyper drive, the TIE Advanced could be outfitted with a pair of warhead launchers. Wings were bent inward at top and bottom; supports were strengthened with fins attached to the hull of the craft.

The new TIE Advanced was nicknamed the “Avenger” by Imperial Pilots. According to rumor, officers of the large command vessels feared that the hyper drive capabilities of the TIE Advanced/Avenger would phase their vessels out of the picture, since TIE Advanced pilots would have no need for a launch platform.

The Novaldex shields were also a costly implementation, which hindered the possibility of mass production of the ship. Rather than risking a reduction in the capital ship budget, Imperial Officers successfully campaigned to have the TIE Advanced/Avenger scrapped. Although the TIE Advanced was superior because of its shield and hyper drive, it was phased out by the cheaper TIE Interceptor.

In later years some TIE Advanced fighters were sold on the open market. Lando Calrissian used a modified version of the craft to compete in spectator sports in the Dubrillion asteroid belt.