E-7 E-wing multi-role starfighter

The E-7 E-wing multi-role starfighter, also called E-wing escort starfighter, was a single-pilot starfighter developed by FreiTek Inc. It was notable for being the first fighter designed entirely under the support of the New Republic. E-wings deployed with updated laser cannons were known as the Type B.

As designed, the E-wing was intended to match or exceed the performance of the preceding X-wing series in every respect, and was meant to replace the older design in New Republic service. However, the craft suffered from several significant problems when first deployed among front-line squadrons. The most serious of these problems included malfunction issues with the wing-mounted laser cannons and the new R7 astromech units, which had been designed specifically for the E-wing. As a result, many pilots continued to fly the older but more reliable X-wing series.

Despite the initial problems, improved models of the E-wing would eventually see widespread use by the New Republic, particularly by the Fifth Fleet, and later by the Galactic Alliance. E-wings would go on to play a significant role in every engagement from the Black Fleet Crisis, through the Yuuzhan Vong War, and beyond.

By the time of the Second Galactic Civil War, the E-wing had matured into an excellent starfighter design and equipped several elite squadrons of the Galactic Alliance. However, despite being a more advanced design, the E-wing never achieved the same popularity as the famous X-wing series.

Text and facts from the “E-7 E-wing multi-role starfighter” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.