E-wing Escort Starfighter

The E-wing Escort Starfighter is a single-pilot starfighter developed by FreiTek Inc. It was the first fighter designed entirely under the support of the New Republic. There are currently two different models, the Type A, and the Type B, but the only real difference between them is that the Type B has better shields and can support astromechs other than the R7-series. Most E-wings currently in service to the New Republic are of the Type B variety.

The E-wing has an excellent combination of firepower, maneuverability, speed, and armor. The spaceframe of the E-wing is surrounded by two aerodynamic foils which provide stability and increased weapons ability. The nosecone contains the starfighter's powerful sensors, while a concealed astromech droid can easily be positioned midway through the craft. Directly in front of the astromech slot is the cockpit.

The fighter is heavily armed with three laser cannons and one proton torpedo launcher with a magazine of sixteen torpedoes. Like most New Republic designs, the lasers are spread out and can be set to converge at varying distances.

Much of the great cost of the first E-wings came from the use of the R7 droid, a much more sophisticated and expensive astromech than the classic R2 and R5 astromechs. A newer model of the E-wing, the Type B, managed to remedy this, however, by being able to interface with earlier astromech models, such as an R2 or R5 unit.

=Sources=
 * Wookieepedia