Ship A-9 Vigilance Interceptor

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A-9 VIGILANCE INTERCEPTOR

AFFILIATION
Open market.

MANUFACTURER
Kuat Drive Yards.

CLASS
Starfighter.

ROLE
Interceptor.

COMPOSITION
Titanium and transparisteel.

DIMENSIONS
Length - 7.4 meters.CREW
1 pilot.

PASSENGER CAPACITY
N/A.

CARGO CAPACITY
55 kilograms.

HANGAR CAPACITY
N/A.

CONSUMABLES
1 standard day.

SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
The A-9 Vigilance interceptor has a top speed of 115 MGLT and has excellent maneuvering characteristics.

ARMAMENT

• 1x heavy laser cannon.
• 1x light laser cannon.

EQUIPMENT

• 1x ejection seat.

DESCRIPTION​

The A-9 Vigilance interceptor is a fast starfighter originally developed and manufactured by the venerable Kuat Drive Yards for the Galactic Empire. Seeing service in the later part of the Galactic Civil War, it is said to be the closest thing the Empire possessed to the legendary RZ-1 A-Wing, and indeed it had similar capabilities and even origins.

The A-9 Vigilance interceptor can trace its lineage back to the earliest years of the Empire. When an operational requirement was announced to select a new standard starfighter for the Imperial Navy, KDY submitted its A-7 Hunter prototype for testing. Going up against early prototypes of the TIE/LN from Sienar Fleet Systems, the Hunter actually proved to be faster and more maneuverable than the TIE, however it was ultimately rejected on the basis of cost, being marginally more expensive to manufacture. Kuat, disappointed on missing their chance to sell the Empire both capital ships and starfighters, nevertheless saw promise in the design, going back to the drawing board.

The A-9 Vigilance, an improved version of the old A-7 Hunter, appeared just prior to the Battle of Endor. 5 MGLT faster than the TIE/IN Interceptor which had been adopted into service only a few years before, it was armed with a single under-slung heavy laser cannon, driven by its own dedicated reactor so as not to draw excess power from the drive system. This was accompanied by a coaxial light laser which had a higher rate of fire, and these together made the Vigilance a remarkably heavy hitter for its time. On top of this, the type was exceptionally maneuverable, able to match any TIE, although it did share some of the TIE's weaknesses. Notably, Vigilance pilots were still required to wear a full environmental suit due to the ship's lack of a life support system. The ship also paid for its almost excessive lightness and resulting speed with a weak hull and a complete lack of shielding. It also lacked its own hyperdrive, making it a short-range machine, although this fit with Imperial starfighter doctrine.

Initial production for the A-9 was disappointing. Although several Sector Moffs acquired small numbers for their own personal forces, it was not until after Endor that the design would come into its own. With the Emperor defeated and the Empire in retreat for the first time since the Mid Rim Offensive of 0 ABY, it was not long before Rebel forces overran key Imperial resources, notably including several industrial worlds which had manufactured TIE variants. With TIE production now severely bottle-necked, alternatives were sought. KDY, with its - at the time - well defended production facilities, volunteered the A-9, which was gratefully accepted by the severely attrited Imperial forces.

Light, fast and hard-hitting, the A-9 Vigilance filled almost the same role as the Rebellion's A-Wing, and was very nearly as fast. Unfortunately, the Empire rarely capitalized on the advantages of the type; due to the severe attrition of qualified pilots, it was mostly used in simple, TIE-like swarm formations by novice snubfighter jockeys, negating many of its advantages. In any event, Vigilance production for the Empire was finally cut off after the Rebellion's assault on Kuat, at which point the New Republic took over the Empire's orders and incorporated the type into their inventory.

The remaining Imperial A-9s were used all the way up through the Battle of Jakku. Afterward, the type continued in service with pirates, some Imperial holdouts, law enforcement, small planetary defense forces and the like. Some were even used by the New Republic, who used them as point defense "chimney fighters" for important industrial and residential areas. Even decades later, the type is still in use in some places, although seeing one in working condition is a rare thing these days,

LEGALITY​

Restricted. A-9 Vigilance interceptors are starfighters, and are subject to extra licensing requirements and increased scrutiny by authorities.

INTENT​

To add an antique starfighter from Legends to our site's fanon.