The TIE fighter was the unforgettable symbol of the Imperial fleet. Carried aboard Star Destroyers and battle stations, TIE fighters were single-pilot vehicles designed for fast-paced dogfights with Rebel X-wings and other starfighters.
The TIE fighter design was commissioned by Grand Moff Tarkin himself. He specifically wanted fighters that were fast, maneuverable, and inexpensive to build/maintain so that they could be deployed in large numbers.
The TIE fighter also lacks a hyperdrive, not only to save on weight and cost but to discourage defection. Although the TIE fighter's cockpit is pressurized and equipped with oxygen scrubbers to prevent corrosion, it doesn't contain any life-support systems, requiring pilots to wear special flight suits.
During the reign of the Empire, TIE fighters were favored for their versatility, if not for their durability. They were able to operate both in space as well as in planetary atmospheres, acting as fighters or scouts.
All TIE models had a common weakness during atmospheric combat: their un-aerodynamic design severely restricted their speed and maneuverability (particularly under windy conditions), which was normally their greatest strength against most Rebel Alliance/New Republic fightercraft.
Why Tie Fighters make NO SENSE (...not why you think) | Star Wars Lore
Why don't TIE Fighters have shields?
As shown in the story mode of Star Wars Squadrons, TIE fighter pilots were expected to be the best so they did not have to rely on shields. In fact, just being a pilot was considered an honor. Potential pilots underwent rigorous training at Imperial flight training academies just to step inside a TIE fighter.
The namesake for the fighter and line was the Sienar Fleet Systems P-s4 twin ion engines that acted as its engines. However, it also to some degree was named after an item of clothing due to its overall shape resembling a bow-tie.
TIE fighter pilots wore a self-contained, insulated black flight suit with pockets and zip-front, a reinforced helmet reminiscent of the stormtrooper design, and chest armor featuring an emergency atmospheric unit and a life support pack. The flight suit was pressurized and constructed of energy-shielded fabric.
Otherwise congruent to the appearance of a standard TIE/ln space superiority starfighter, the Outland TIE fighter's wings folded when landing on a levelled surface, allowing for ease of access to the cockpit and creating a distinctive form not dissimilar to that of an X-wing starfighter with its S-foils in an open ...
When a TIE Fighter passes by, its engines emit a high-pitched, whining noise that rises and falls as the ship approaches and then moves away. This effect creates a sense of speed and agility, adding to the perception of the TIE Fighter's maneuverability.
The TIE Advanced x1 featured a greater speed than the TIE/LN. It was armed with heavy twin blaster cannons on fixed mounts, and was also capable of carrying secondary weapons such as cluster missiles.
An atmospheric fighter, or air superiority fighter, was a starfighter variant designed specifically for flight within the atmosphere of a planet. The TIE/sk x1 experimental air superiority fighter, or TIE striker, was a notable example.
The TIE fighter was designed as a kind of infantry ship, with priority being placed on a design that was fast and inexpensive. As a result, they only come equipped with Twin Ion Engines (hence, TIE fighter). Ion Engines are only capable of sublight travel and cannot enter hyperspace.
Darth Vader's TIE Advanced x1 starfighter was a prototype of the TIE fighter series Advanced series manufactured by Sienar Fleet Systems. It was used by the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Vader during the reign of the Galactic Empire in many battles throughout the Galactic Civil War.
The RZ-1 A-wing interceptor was a starfighter designed by the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War. One of the fastest mass-produced interceptors in the known galaxy, the A-wing was even faster than the Imperials' TIE Interceptor, despite also having shielding and a hyperdrive, unlike the cheaper TIE model.
The TIE Reaper is a support starfighter with advanced utility, meant to aid their squadron by empowering allies, disrupting enemy starfighters, and protecting the Empire. Star Wars: Squadrons.
These wings, like the fins of the TIE fighter, contain plates with ridges oriented in different directions for thrust and maneuvering, while the length of the wings amplifies the torque needed to rapidly turn the ship.
Reasonable speed and maneuverability in vacuum but not in Atmosphere. Other than that it was a deathtrap. No shields, thin hull plating, limited weapons, no missiles or torpedoes, no hyperdrive, short combat radius. TIE/In were inexpensive spacecraft so they were issued to new and poorly trained pilots.
During the Rebellion on Akiva, the New Republic starfighter pilot Norra Wexley discovered that the Galactic Empire's TIE fighters did indeed carry ejector seats. She was able to eject to safety after her stolen TIE was hit by turbolaser fire.
Interestingly, Wookieepedia lists the maximum atmospheric speed of a TIE Fighter at 1,200 km/hr or 333 m/s. The blaster bolts from the TIE Fighter is moving at about 1,600 m/s. This is around the speed of a tank round.
Further upgrades, including hyperdrives and advanced shielding made them equal to the Rebellion's X-wing starfighters. Their weapons were equipped with safeties. Later TIE Interceptor models were modified to carry four blaster cannons, replacing the original wingtip laser cannons.
Vil Dance and numerous other pilots considered Barvel to be one of the best, if not the best, TIE pilots in the Imperial Navy. He was able to shoot down over sixty enemy ships in the Clone Wars, earning him the rank of ace twelve times over.
