View source for A-wing

{{Short description|Starfighter in the Star Wars franchise}}
{{Infobox Fictional Spacecraft
| name                = Kuat RZ-1 A-wing Interceptor
| image               = File:A-wing_production_model.jpg
| caption             = An RZ-1 A-wing filming model used for ''Return of the Jedi''
| first_major         = [[Return of the Jedi]] (1983)
| first_minor         = <!-- or |first_issue=; Per [[MOS:MINORWORK]] - minor works include TV episodes, chapters, songs and game missions -->
| first_date          =
| last_major          =
| last_minor          = <!-- or |last_issue= -->
| last_date           =
| creator             = [[Ralph McQuarrie]]
| based_on            =
| affiliation    = {{plainlist|
* [[Rebel Alliance]]
* [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]]
* [[Resistance (Star Wars)|Resistance]]
}}
| maker               = Kuat Systems Engineering
| launched            =
| decommissioned      =
| captain             =
| class               = [[Interceptor aircraft|Interception starfighter]]
| registry            = 
| fighters            =
| aux_vehicle         =  Ejector seat

| armaments           = 
* RZ-1: Borstel RG-9 laser cannons (2); Dymek HM-6 concussion missile launchers (2; 12 missiles)
* RZ-1T: Laser cannons (2)
* RZ-2: Zija GO-4 laser cannons (2); Dymek HM-22 concussion missile launchers (2; 12 missiles)
| defense             = 
*RZ-1: Sirplex Z-9 deflector shield generator; Durasteel armor; sensor jammer
*RZ-2 Rseik Hullspace 2e deflector shield generator; Cloakeye sensor jammer
| max_speed           = 
*RZ-1: 5,100 G (maximum acceleration); 1,300 km/h (808 mph; maximum atmospheric speed); 120 MGLT (megalight per hour; subluminal speed) <!--Its speed in meters per second would be 29,997 m/s; or around 107,925 km/h (67,061 mph)--> ; 1.0 HCR (hyperdrive class rating; superluminal speed)<!--Hyperdrives are rated on a scale of 1.0 to 3.0, with lower numbers being faster-->
*RZ-2: 5,200 G (maximum acceleration); 1,350 km/h (839 mph; maximum atmospheric speed); 125 MGLT (megalight per hour; subluminal speed) <!--Its speed in meters per second would be 29,997 m/s; or around 107,925 km/h (67,061 mph)--> ; 1.0 HCR (hyperdrive class rating; superluminal speed)<!--Hyperdrives are rated on a scale of 1.0 to 3.0, with lower numbers being faster-->
| chassis             =
| mass                =
| propulsion          = 
* RZ-1: Novaldex J-77 "Event Horizon" sublight engines (2); Incom GBk-785 hyperdrive motivators (2)
* RZ-2: Novaldex K-88 "Event Horizon" sublight engines (2); Incom GBk-885 hyperdrive motivators (2)
| power               = 
* RZ-1: MPS Bpr-99 fusion reactors (2)
* RZ-2: Klyd-Marro 67e fusion cores (2)
| length              = 
* RZ-1: 6.9 meters
* RZ-2: 7.682 meters
| width               =  
* RZ-1: 4.47 meters
* RZ-2: 4.623 meters
| height              = 
* RZ-1: 2.47 meters
* RZ-2: 2.016 meters
| population_volume   = {{plainlist|
*1 pilot
}}
}}

'''Kuat RZ-1 A-wing Interceptor''' are  [[Military spacecraft in fiction|starfighters]] in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise. Designed and manufactured by [[Kuat Systems Engineering]], they are the fastest ship in the Rebel Fleet (not including [[Hyperspace|hyperspace travel]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maurer |first=Margaret |date=2016-09-09 |title=15 Fastest Ships In The Star Wars Galaxy |url=https://screenrant.com/fastest-ships-in-star-wars/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> The A-Wing was conceived for high-speed [[surgical strike]]s, [[Reconnaissance aircraft|deep reconnaissance]], and [[escort fighter]] duty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/a-wing-fighter-history-gallery|title=A-wing Fighter History Gallery|website=StarWars.com|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|at=Click on image 3 of 6|access-date=June 7, 2016|archive-date=June 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601145648/http://www.starwars.com/a-wing-fighter-history-gallery|url-status=live}}</ref>

A-wings first appear in ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983) and later in numerous ''Star Wars'' materials and productions. It gained popularity through its depiction in several video games, and since 1985 the A-wing has been merchandised by several companies. They are the fastest vessels in the [[Star Wars canon|''Star Wars'' canon]], with the advantage of being the smallest hyperspace drive-equipped craft without relying on a carrier, allowing the vessel to extricate itself from a losing battle or to escape hostile territory after performing an attack.

==Appearances==
RZ-1 A-wings from Green Squadron participate in the climactic Battle of Endor depicted in ''Return of the Jedi'' (1983). At Endor, an A-wing piloted by Arvel Crynyd ([[Hilton McRae]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/a-wing-fighter-history-gallery|title=A-wing Fighter History Gallery|website=StarWars.com|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|at=Click on image 2 of 6 with thumbnail of a pilot|access-date=June 7, 2016|archive-date=June 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601145648/http://www.starwars.com/a-wing-fighter-history-gallery|url-status=live}}</ref> crashes into the bridge of the [[Star Destroyer|Super Star Destroyer]] ''Executor'', resulting in the ''Executor'' crashing out of control into the second [[Death Star]]. In addition to McRae, two women recorded A-wing cockpit footage; one of the actors was cut, and the other was dubbed over by a male actor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/75170814/Star-Wars-lost-female-fighter-pilots|title=Star Wars' lost female fighter pilots|date=December 16, 2015|access-date=June 9, 2016|website=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|archive-date=August 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808083820/http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/75170814/Star-Wars-lost-female-fighter-pilots|url-status=live}}</ref>

A-wings later appear in various [[Star Wars expanded to other media|''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe]] television shows, books, and games. Some Expanded Universe material says [[List of Star Wars characters#D|Jan Dodonna]] created the A-wing based on his analysis of the role of speed in the Battle of Yavin, the climactic battle in ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (1977).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/character/generaljandodonna/?id=eu |title=Expanded Universe - Dodonna, General Jan |access-date=June 7, 2016 |work=Star Wars Databank |publisher=[[Lucasfilm]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308135600/http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/generaljandodonna/?id=eu |archive-date=March 8, 2005 }}</ref> Later material, such as the ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' television series, depicts the starfighters in use before the events of ''Star Wars''.<ref name="sw.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/a-wing-fighter|title=A-wing Fighter|website=Star Wars Databank|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|access-date=June 7, 2016|archive-date=June 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612030433/http://www.starwars.com/databank/a-wing-fighter|url-status=live}}</ref>

The A-wings of Phoenix Squadron play an important role in ''Rebels''{{'}} [[List of Star Wars Rebels episodes#Season 2 (2015–16)|second season]] (2015–2016). ''Rebels'' producers used the A-wing in part because the ship was not used much in ''Return of the Jedi''<ref name="wings">{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/video/rebels-recon-inside-wings-of-the-master|title=Rebels Recon: Inside "Wings of the Master"|website=StarWars.com|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|access-date=June 7, 2016|archive-date=May 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529013944/http://www.starwars.com/video/rebels-recon-inside-wings-of-the-master|url-status=live}}</ref>  The fighter's presence in the cartoon was meant to show that different groups used different craft to fight the Empire.<ref name="wings" /> The series's episodes "The Holocrons of Fate" and "[[Twin Suns]]" also feature the two-seater RZ-1T trainer, a training spacecraft used by the rebels to train recruits. The RZ-1T also appears in the novel ''Battlefront II: Inferno Squad''.

The RZ-1 A-Wing is based on the R-22 A-Wing, also made by [[Kuat Systems Engineering]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/a-wing-fighter | title=A-wing Fighter | access-date=2021-02-26 | archive-date=2021-03-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303080207/https://www.starwars.com/databank/a-wing-fighter | url-status=live }}</ref>
 
A later variant, the RZ-2 A-wing, features in ''[[Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game)|Star Wars Battlefront II]]'' and in ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]''. It is a bigger spacecraft used by the [[Resistance (Star Wars)|Resistance]] against the [[First Order (Star Wars)|First Order]].

==Concept and design==
[[File:ROTJ - A-wings.jpeg|alt=Two arrowhead-shaped craft fly in space with a nebula in the background|thumb|[[Ralph McQuarrie]]'s production art for the A-wing. The A-wings in ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' use McQuarrie's alternative blue-and-white color scheme.<ref name="awingcolor">{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/back-from-the-drawing-board-part-2-repurposed-star-wars-technology|title=Back from the Drawing Board, Part 2: Repurposed Star Wars Technology|last=Beentjes|first=Kevin|date=May 6, 2015|website=StarWars.com|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=June 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608051534/http://www.starwars.com/news/back-from-the-drawing-board-part-2-repurposed-star-wars-technology|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
The A-wing was one of two new Rebel Alliance starfighters created for ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref name=sculpt>{{cite book |last=Peterson |first=Lorne |title=Sculpting A Galaxy - Inside the Star Wars Model Shop |year=2006 |publisher=Insight Editions |pages= 52–55 |location=San Rafael, California |isbn=1-933784-03-2}}</ref> It was dubbed the ''A fighter'' because it was the first of the two designs created.<ref name="sculpt" /> Ralph McQuarrie's production paintings of A-wing starfighters were completed after filming and displayed alternative blue markings.

Joe Johnston designed the ship, Wesley Seeds and [[Lorne Peterson]] of [[Industrial Light & Magic]] built the model, and its pilot figure is based on a [[World War I]] German airman.<ref name="sculpt" /> A battle-damaged engine "wing" was snapped into place to represent Arvel Crynyd's damaged fighter as it crashed into the ''Executor''.<ref name="sculpt" />

McQuarrie's alternative blue-and-white coloring was used for the craft's appearance in ''Rebels.''<ref name="awingcolor" /> Photographs from the filming of ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'' show an A-wing on the film set.<ref name="royalvisit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/04/19/prince-william-prince-harry-star-wars-episode-viii-set-visit-daisy-ridley-mark-hamill/83223550/|title=Princes William and Harry visit 'Star Wars' set, raise the bar for adorable|last=Lawler|first=Kelly|date=April 19, 2016|website=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|at=Image 2 of 6 in the article's picture gallery|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528023208/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/04/19/prince-william-prince-harry-star-wars-episode-viii-set-visit-daisy-ridley-mark-hamill/83223550/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="movieweb" /> ''Screen Rant'' suggests the A-wing seen in the photographs evokes some of McQuarrie's interpretation of the design, such as the blaster cannon shape and the presence of additional ports in the cockpit.<ref name="screenrant">{{cite web|url=http://screenrant.com/star-wars-8-a-wing/|title=Star Wars 8 Brings Back The Rebellion's Fastest Starfighter|date=April 19, 2016|access-date=June 9, 2016|website=Screen Rant|first=Rob|last=Keyes|archive-date=June 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616093415/http://screenrant.com/star-wars-8-a-wing/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Depiction ==
According to [[Star Wars canon|''Star Wars'' canon]], the A-wing was first produced by Kuat Systems Engineering, which had built the [[Delta-7]] starfighter for the [[Jedi Order]].  With the Jedi eradicated (as depicted in ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'') and the Delta-7 nearly impossible for non-Jedi to pilot, Kuat designed a new starfighter, the R-22 A-wing, in hopes the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]] would purchase it.  While impressed with prototypes of the R-22, the Empire instead went with the [[TIE fighter]], and forbade Kuat from mass-producing the A-wing.  The prototypes were sold to the kingdom of Tammuz-an, which over a decade later were eventually sold to the Rebel Alliance.<ref name=swrsowm>{{cite book |title=Star Wars: Rebel Starfighters: Owners' Workshop Manual |publisher=Insight Editions |year=2019 |isbn=978-1683839361}}</ref>

Rebel engineers made many alterations to the original R-22 design to produce the RZ-1 model as seen in ''Return of the Jedi''.  The original engines were swapped out for more powerful ones, while other major components were replaced with lightweight versions so a [[supraluminal]] [[Hyperdrive (Star Wars)|hyperdrive]] could be added.  The resulting fighter is faster than even the Empire's [[TIE interceptor]] and perfect for [[Hit-and-run tactics|hit-and-run]] attacks, long-range patrols, and [[reconnaissance]] missions.  Its two Borstel RG-9 laser cannons,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zambrano |first=J. R. |date=2021-04-04 |title=Star Wars: The Rebellions Perfect Interceptor, The A-Wing, A Breakdown |url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2021/04/star-wars-the-rebellions-perfect-interceptor-the-a-wing-a-breakdown-draft.html |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Bell of Lost Souls |language=en}}</ref> mounted on special swivel mounts, can elevate or depress 60° vertically; some were modified for full 360° rotation but these had a greater chance to jam. However, engineers could not fit the A-wing with an [[astromech droid]], which limited how many hyperspace coordinates it could carry.  The lack of droid assistance also makes it challenging even for a being with Jedi-like reflexes to control a fighter so fast and maneuverable.  Consequently, only the best Rebel pilots are allowed to fly the A-wing.<ref name=swrsowm/>

After the Empire was defeated, background material explains how Kuat Systems Engineering made a number of improvements to the design to create the RZ-2 A-wing for the [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]] Defense Fleet.  Even faster than the original, the RZ-2 requires less maintenance than the RZ-1, and the swivel mounts that allow its laser cannons to rotate 360° were no longer at risk of jamming.  Thanks to the New Republic's disarmament campaign, RZ-2s found their way into the [[Resistance (Star Wars)|Resistance]], which like the Rebellion before allows only the best pilots to fly the A-wing.<ref name=swrsowm/>

== Impact ==
{{Expand section|date=June 2016}}

''CinemaBlend'' said the A-wing received little attention after ''Return of the Jedi'' because no prominent characters pilot the craft.<ref name="cb">{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Star-Wars-Episode-VIII-Bringing-Back-Classic-Ship-125727.html|title=Star Wars: Episode VIII Is Bringing Back A Classic Ship|last=Libbey|first=Dirk|website=Cinema Blend|date=19 April 2016|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=12 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612163306/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Star-Wars-Episode-VIII-Bringing-Back-Classic-Ship-125727.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kenner Products|Kenner]] in 1985 released an [[Kenner Star Wars action figures|A-wing pilot figure]] as part of its ''Power of the Force'' line, and it released a "magnificent" A-wing toy as part of the ''[[Star Wars: Droids]]'' line.<ref name="universeofsw">{{Cite book|title=A Universe of Star Wars Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide|last=Wells III|first=Stuart W.|publisher=Krause Publications|year=2002|isbn=0873494156|edition=2nd.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/universeofstarwa00well/page/17 17, 212, 220, 222, 224, 266–267]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/universeofstarwa00well/page/17}}</ref><ref name="ultimateguide">{{Cite book |last=Bellomo |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ISBN9781440240591 |title=The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Star Wars Action Figures, 1977-1985 |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2014 |isbn=9781440240591 |pages=45, 128 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Since then, the A-wing has been recreated as various other toys, models, and collectibles by companies that include [[Galoob]], [[Hasbro]], [[Model Products Corporation]], [[Estes Industries]], [[Lego]], and [[Fantasy Flight Games]].<ref name="universeofsw" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/129430/star-wars-x-wing-miniatures-game-wing-expansion-pa|title=Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game – A-Wing Expansion Pack (2013)|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=[[BoardGameGeek]]|publisher=Scott Alden|archive-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609111548/http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/129430/star-wars-x-wing-miniatures-game-wing-expansion-pa|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Screen Rant'' said the A-wing gained popularity as a playable craft in the ''[[Star Wars: X-Wing (video game)|Star Wars: X-Wing]]'' space combat simulator (1993),<ref name="screenrant" /> which ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' said depicted the ship as "an excellent [[dogfight]]er".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/12009-The-15-Best-Space-Combat-Sims-of-All-Time.5#&gid=gallery_2921&pid=1|title=The 15 Best Space Combat Sims of All-Time|date=July 29, 2014|website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|publisher=[[Defy Media]]|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701221648/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/12009-The-15-Best-Space-Combat-Sims-of-All-Time.5#&gid=gallery_2921&pid=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Subsequent video games that allowed players to pilot the A-wing also contributed to the ship's popularity.<ref name="screenrant" /> ''[[Syfy#Syfy Wire|Blastr]]'' ranked the A-wing 16th on its list of the best ''Star Wars'' vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blastr.com/2015-9-11/v-wing-millennium-falcon-50-best-star-wars-vehicles-ranked|title=From the V-Wing to the Millennium Falcon: 50 of the best Star Wars vehicles, ranked|last=Dorville|first=Matt|date=September 11, 2015|website=Blastr|publisher=[[Syfy]]|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=May 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531215014/http://www.blastr.com/2015-9-11/v-wing-millennium-falcon-50-best-star-wars-vehicles-ranked|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Prince Harry]] was photographed sitting in an A-wing cockpit during his and the [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|Duke of Cambridge]]'s April 2016 visit to the ''Star Wars: Episode VIII'' set.<ref name="royalvisit" /> Responding to the photographs, various publications called the A-wing "iconic",<ref name="movieweb">{{cite news|url=http://movieweb.com/star-wars-episode-8-a-wing-fighter-photos/|title=Star Wars: Episode VIII Brings Back the A-Wing Fighter|last=Gallagher|first=Brian|date=April 19, 2016|work=[[MovieWeb]]|access-date=June 7, 2016|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610031607/http://movieweb.com/star-wars-episode-8-a-wing-fighter-photos/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://moviepilot.com/posts/3875634|title=This Iconic 'Star Wars' Fighter Will Return in Episode 8!|last=Creamer|first=Matt Timmy|date=April 20, 2016|website=[[Moviepilot]]|access-date=June 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624232214/http://moviepilot.com/posts/3875634|archive-date=June 24, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> an "unsung hero",<ref name="nerdist">{{cite web|url=http://nerdist.com/star-wars-episode-viii-will-bring-back-the-a-wing/|title=Star Wars: Episode VIII Will Bring Back the A-wing|first=Michael|last=Arbeiter|date=April 20, 2016|access-date=June 9, 2016|website=[[Nerdist Industries|Nerdist]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602133058/http://nerdist.com/star-wars-episode-viii-will-bring-back-the-a-wing/|archive-date=June 2, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> "woefully underappreciated",<ref name="nerdist" /> and "a classic".<ref name="cb" />

In 2018 a number of ''Star Wars'' starfighters - including the A-wing - had their aerodynamic abilities tested using the [[Autodesk]] Flow Design virtual [[wind tunnel]] program.  Of those starfighters tested the A-wing was among the most aerodynamic designs of all with a [[drag coefficient]] of .17, though it was still worse than the real-life example of the [[F-4E Phantom]] with a .02 rating.  These poor results were rationalized with the in-universe explanations that drag coefficient plays no role in space travel, and that ''Star Wars'' fighters can use [[repulsorlift]]s and [[Technology in Star Wars#Force fields|deflector shields]] to give themselves better flight profiles.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pockross|first=Adam|title=Testing the Aerodynamics of Star Wars Ships in a Virtual Wind Tunnel|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/testing-aerodynamics-star-wars-ships-virtual-wind-tunnel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620025609/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/testing-aerodynamics-star-wars-ships-virtual-wind-tunnel|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 20, 2018|website=SyFy Wire|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref>
{{br}}<!--because of long photo caption that messes up references section-->

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Star Wars Databank|subject=a-wing-fighter|text=A-wing fighter}}
* {{Star Wars Databank|subject=phoenix-squadron|text=Phoenix Squadron}}
* {{Star Wars Databank|subject=a-wing-trainer-rz-1t|text=A-wing trainer (RZ-1T)}}
* {{Wookieepedia|RZ-1 A-wing interceptor}}
* {{Wookieepedia|R-22 Spearhead}}

{{Star Wars universe|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Star Wars spacecraft]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1983]]

[[sv:Lista över farkoster i Star Wars#A-Wing]]