10 Of The Best 'Star Wars' Ships Ever Built

One of the many wonders of Star Wars that draws us to its universe is the futuristic elements making up the world. Like a child watching fighters streak overhead in an air show on Earth, we look up in awe at the ships moving faster than light across the much larger backdrop of the galaxy far, far away. Listed in no particular order, here are some of the best ships of Star Wars.

The Outrider

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

This YT-2400 light freighter “cousin” of the Millennium Falcon belongs to the smuggler Dash Rendar. He replaced the original engines with stolen military-grade ion engines, and upgraded the stock hyperdrive to a Class 0.75 hyperdrive rating. Its hull is reinforced with titanium armor. It is equipped with an illegal enhanced sensor countermeasure package to help avoid Imperial detection. The ship’s weaponry includes a pair of heavy laser cannons, and a pair of concussion missile launchers that could be fired from the gunnery wells or from the cockpit.

Ghost

Star Wars Rebels

The heavily modified light freighter belonging to Hera Syndulla is used extensively by the Specters rebel cell. Its energy dampeners and static jammers on the engines, among other illegal upgrades, allow the ship to mimic solar fluctuations or cosmic radiation on many sensors. Its weaponry system consisting of multiple laser cannon turrets and a pair of proton torpedo launchers allow it to bring down even an Imperial light cruiser. A smaller auxiliary vessel called the Phantom can be deployed from the Ghost and used as a starfighter or shuttle.

V-wing starfighter

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

The V-wing is the forefather of later starfighters like the Imperial TIE fighters and Rebel Alliance A-wing. It produces screeching sounds very similar to the TIE fighters. Its small size and high speeds make it perfect for the role of interceptor or escort. Most models lack a hyperdrive, thus needing a larger carrier to transport them. Its two twin laser cannons can swivel on the wing hubs, providing a wide range of fire. A single forward concussion missile launcher, flak guns, and proton bombs are added to some models. Due to the absence of a life-support system, its pilots have to wear fully sealed helmets and flight suits.

Darth Vader’s modified TIE Advanced x1

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

The Dark Lord of the Sith’s personal starfighter improves on the TIE/LN starfighter (commonly called the TIE fighter) of the Imperial Navy. It contains a hyperdrive and deflector shield generator, both features not present in a standard TIE fighter. Its twin blaster cannons and a cluster missile launcher give it superior firepower. The cockpit is further modified to accommodate Darth Vader’s armor. Fortunately for the Rebel Alliance, the TIE Advanced x1 is deemed too expensive for the Imperial Navy to mass produce.

Kylo Ren’s TIE Whisper

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker

An upgrade on the regular TIE interceptor and his previous TIE silencer, the now Supreme Leader Kylo Ren’s new starfighter has increased speed, range, and firepower. While its appearance is similar to the standard model, it comes equipped with a hyperdrive and a sensor-confusing technology that gives it a degree of stealth. Its armament boasts four laser cannons at the tip of each wing, five heavy cannons between the two main solar collectors on each wing, and a heavy weapons turret with mag-pulses and heavy lasers. The TIE Whisper also does not appear to have the characteristic screaming banshee sound that other TIE fighters are known for.

Rogue Shadow

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Built primarily for stealth and infiltration purposes, the Rogue Shadow serves as the personal transport of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice Starkiller (Galen Marek). Its experimental cloaking device is powered by the rare stygium crystal (a form of lightsaber crystal), which can also warp perceptions around it, thus enhancing the craft’s stealth capability. With only a minimal weapon system made up of laser cannons, the ship contains a fully functional medical bay, crew quarters, a workshop, and a meditation chamber for the Sith.

Due to the covert nature of Starkiller, the Rogue Shadow is designed and constructed in total secrecy. All personnel and droids involved are killed in “industrial accidents' 'and “street crimes.”

A-wing starfighter

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars Rebels

The A-wing starfighter is used in roles similar to that of the X-wing starfighter. Its high speed also makes it very useful in reconnaissance missions and hit-and-run raids. As it is essentially two engines mounted to a cockpit, there is no room left to fit an astromech droid to assist with flying the craft. Only the best pilots with exceptional reflexes and precision can fly the A-wing without losing control. It is equipped with two laser cannons and up to twelve concussion missiles. It also has a short-range sensor jammer capable of jamming other starfighters’ sensors and communications (although it is not strong enough to interfere with larger ships’ sensors). Despite its advantages, the A-wing starfighter is notorious for its frequent breakdowns.

X-wing starfighter

Original Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars sequel trilogy

The X-wing is one of the most iconic ships of the Star Wars universe. When in attack position, its S-foils (or Strike foils) make an X, giving rise to its name. Its small size and high maneuverability are suitable for dogfights, intercepting other crafts and escort missions. Its weaponry includes four laser cannons on the S-foils (the X attack position allows the canons to cover a wider range of fire), and proton torpedo launchers in the fuselage.

Originally, the Imperial Navy intends to adopt the X-wing starfighters. However, due to cost, they go with the TIE fighters instead, and the X-wing starfighters end up in the hands of the Rebel Alliance.

Millennium Falcon

The original Star Wars trilogy, the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Solo

This “piece of junk” is a Corellian YT-1300f light freighter that has been heavily modified by both Lando Calrissian and Han Solo. A SLAM overdrive is added to its sublight engine, increasing its sublight speed. The stock hyperdrive was upgraded to a Class 1 hyperdrive rating, and then further rigged to a Class 0.5 hyperdrive rating, making it twice as fast as most Imperial warships. Its weaponry includes two quad laser cannons, two concussion missile tubes, and a blaster cannon. Duralloy plates salvaged from an Imperial cruiser, and three deflector shield generators made up the ship’s defense. These modifications allowed it to function as both a starfighter in terms of sublight speed and maneuverability, and as a capital ship in terms of its hyperdrive, shields, and heavy weapon capabilities. However, its many customizations resulted in frequent breakdowns, many times in the heat of battle.

Slave One

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode V - Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian

The modified Firespray attack craft is first used by the infamous Jango Fett, before it gets passed down to his son Boba Fett. Jango upgrades its stock weaponry to include two heavy twin blaster cannons, two rapid firing laser cannons, two projectile launchers (each holding homing missiles), and a naval minelayer equipped with seismic charges. He also upgrades the ship’s drive engines and power generators, allowing its sublight speed to match that of a Y-wing starfighter. Later on, Boba adds a cloaking device, a sensor jammer, and a tractor beam projector. He also replaces the rapid fire laser cannons with an ion cannon and a concussion missile launcher, and adds proton torpedoes to his projectile launchers. Except for the twin blaster cannons, the ship’s weapons are hidden from view, making it appear lightly armed.

Like all Firesprays, Slave I sits flat on its bottom surface when idle, but flies “standing up.” A unique gyro stabilization system is added to allow the ship’s occupants to remain upright regardless of what position the ship was in.

Written By Apinya Wong

Source(s): Wookieepedia

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