TIE / ln space superiority starfighter The TIE / ln space superiority starfighter ( TIE / ln and alternatively stylized as the TIE / LN ) commonly known as the TIE fighter , and nicknamed Evil - Eyes by the New Republic , was the signature starfighter of the Galactic Empire and " de facto " symbol of Imperial space superiority . Its official name was the Twin Ion Engine " line edition " space superiority starfighter . Instantly recognizable from the roar of its engines , the TIE / ln exuded Imperial power and prestige across the galaxy , seeing use throughout the Empire ' s political existence . Characteristics . The TIE / ln starfighter was a small , short - range fighter developed , manufactured , and mass produced by Sienar Fleet Systems . Developed by SFS company head Raith Sienar , the basis for the TIE fighter can be traced back to Kuat Systems Engineering ' s Alpha - 3 Nimbus starfighter , along with several other outmoded models from the Old Republic . Like their predecessors , TIE ' s employed two vertical wings similar in appearance to V - wing starfighters ; however , the Eta - 2 " Actis " - class light interceptor bore even more similarities with its central cockpit pod , twin ion engines and common weapons technology . The TIE / ln measured 7 . 24 meters in length , and could attain a maximum speed of 1 , 200 kph . It was propelled by two P - s3 ion engine s , which would be replaced by twin P - s4 ion engine s by approximately 14 BBY . Pressurized fuel tankage was located on the underside of the cockpit . A TIE fighter ' s twin ion engines provided thrust and boosters capable of quickly adjusting the ship ' s direction . The TIE / ln featured vertical takeoff and landing ( VTOL ) capabilities owing to repulsorlift cyclers in its wing struts — reducing its already small mass to negligible weight — and micropositioning thrusts from the twin ion engines . Furthermore , the lack of a hyperdrive and resultant navigational systems alongside extended life support and fuel combined to cut down the TIE ' s total mass . In order to reduce the mass and energy consumption of the ship , the TIE lacked key systems such as deflector shield s , hyperdrive s or comprehensive life support . The lack of shields made the craft vulnerable to micro meteor impacts and combat damage hull breaches , but these reduced facilities allowed the TIE / in to be cheaply mass produced while also improving it ' s maneuverability . The fighter ' s black ' wings ' were in fact an array of twelve solar collector s that featured a micro - crenulated solar absorption surface . From here , power would be pooled to the fighter ' s solar energy collection hub and then to its twin ion engines and L - s1 low - temperature laser cannons capable of destroying a taylander shuttle in a single shot . The lack of many essential systems , and therefore limited operational lifespan , doubled as theft prevention systems and deterrents for would - be defectors , but they were not the only countermeasure installed to prevent theft . Most TIEs were designed with a centrally controlled scuttling mechanism that would jettison the fighter ' s solar collector panels , quickly disabling it . Its central cockpit was tightly fitted , incorporating flight controls , viewscreens , targeting systems , tracking equipment — including a homing beacon in case the vessel was stolen — and room for a pilot all in the central pod . Despite being designed for a single occupant , several other passengers could fit inside the central cockpit , although the fit would be extremely tight . While TIE fighters featured minimal , perfunctory oxygen scrubbers and pressurized atmospheric seals , TIE pilots routinely wore full EVA suit s owing to the ship ' s lack of full life support . Flight controls were considered intuitive and easy to learn , in some cases allowing rebel novices to fly and operate them after having stolen them from Imperial airfields . TIEs were also outfitted with an ejector seat . 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 . They were more than capable of enforcing Imperial law against unarmed or lightly defended civilian transports . TIE / ln pilots were not afforded the independence enjoyed by equivalent pilots of the Rebel Alliance , as capital ship s were preferred for tactical discussion among the Imperial Starfleet . At least a month after the Battle of Jakku , all TIE / ln starfighters were upgraded with advanced weaponry invented by Ved Foslo , allowing them to punch through an enemy fighter ' s shields as well as hull , destroying them in a single hit . History . Following the transformation of the Galactic Republic into the authoritarian Galactic Empire , Republic era weapons and equipment would continue to be utilized throughout the Imperial sphere . As time went by , the Republic ' s Eta - 2 " Actis " - class light interceptor and ARC - 170 starfighters began to be phased out roughly five years after the proclamation of the New Order . Its replacement , the TIE / ln starfighter would retain similarities to the old craft , with Sienar Fleet Systems having borrowed heavily from the designs of Kuat Systems Engineering ships , thanks to acquiring key assets and engineers employed by their competitor . With TIE pilots instructed to ignore their own well - being in order to achieve their objectives , the fighters were extremely fragile and their pilots expendable . With the Imperial Navy ' s vast size and unchallenged reign over the galaxy , the use of swarm tactics and subsequent mass production and refreshment of the vessels barely put a dent into Imperial manpower and industrial capacity . The low cost of production also spurred the craft ' s use . As a result , many features were sacrificed to facilitate mass production by Sienar Fleet Systems factories , even causing Wilhuff Tarkin to dread the thought of ever having to pilot one due to its cramped cockpit . Imperial fighters also acted as psychological deterrents to potential seditious activities , with their roaring engines inspiring fear in those who heard them , leading to Imperial commanders to order their pilots to purposely fly low over areas that needed reminding of Imperial might . As part of the five - year plan for the industrialization of the Outer Rim Territories , TIE fighters were produced on a number of planet s , including Lothal . The Empire also gave some of its TIE fighters to loyalist companies to help secure its interests , leading to variants such as the Mining Guild TIE fighter . Following the destruction of the first Death Star , the classification between Army and Navy pilots — referred to as ground - hogs and vac - heads respectively — was rescinded , and the Imperial Military was to undergo a mass reorganization . Over time , a variety of other models arose from the TIE line , including notable vessels such as the TIE / IN interceptor , TIE / sa bomber , TIE / sk x1 experimental air superiority fighter , TIE / D Defender and the TIE Reaper , partly in direct response to faster and newer vessels manufactured by the Rebel Alliance . By the time of the Battle of Endor , these newer vessels made up approximately 20 % of the Empire ' s starfighter fleet . Despite this , a variety of sub - models of the TIE line had arisen throughout Imperial history , with Sienar factories experimenting with localized improvements , producing advanced models suited to flying in local conditions and incorporating secret technological breakthroughs . Ships such as the TIE Advanced v1 fighter would see use by flight baron s and high - ranking members of the Inquisitorius , however its extreme cost would later relegate its successor , the TIE Advanced x1 , to be flown only by elite pilots and members of the Imperial hierarchy such as Lord Vader . Following the Battle of Endor , Imperial supply shortages would hinder the production and further development of TIE / LN starfighters , forcing " Imperial " - class Star Destroyers to make due with an inadequate number of ships and inexperienced pilots . Legacy . The legacy of the TIE fighter was not forgotten on the galactic stage , with Sienar Fleet System ' s successor , Sienar - Jaemus Fleet Systems producing the latest - generation TIE fighters utilized by the Empire ' s successor state , the First Order . The TIE / sf space superiority fighter and TIE / fo space superiority fighter were a direct continuance of the imprint the TIE fighter had on galactic citizenry , and featured advanced weapons systems and a two - seated arrangement for use by the Order ' s Special Forces . Future historians would argue that flaws inherent in the TIE fighter design were allowed to remain , if only to increase the Empire ' s dependency on Sienar Fleet Systems for continued production of the craft , along with increased dependency on Kuat Drive Yards capital - scale carrier ships . Behind the scenes . Industrial Light & Magic ' s ( ILM ) Colin Cantwell created the concept model that established the TIE fighter ' s ball - cockpit and hexagonal - panels design for " A New Hope " . Sound designer Ben Burtt created the distinctive TIE fighter sound effect by combining an elephant call with a car driving on wet pavement . The original TIE / ln fighters seen in were relatively white , but were originally meant to have a maroon hull . One of the benefits of a slightly reddish color would have been that the fighter models would not have been as prone to " blue spill " as gray models were during filming against a blue screen . However , film composition tests revealed that the maroon ships blended too quickly into the mostly black star field when moving away from the camera , so a light gray was used instead . The TIE fighter models featured in and were blue - gray . Combat scenes between TIE fighters and the " Millennium Falcon " and Rebel Alliance X - wing fighters in " A New Hope " were meant to be reminiscent of dogfight footage ; editors used World War II air combat clips as placeholders while Industrial Light & Magic completed the movie ' s special effects . TIE / LN fighters are one of two starships available to Imperial players in " Star Wars Battlefront " , the other being the TIE / IN interceptor . Compared to the X - wings and A - wings , TIE fighters lack shields but instead possess good maneuverability and speed . However , their large wing panels make them very easy to hit in dogfights , giving Rebel fighters a slight advantage in ship - to - ship engagements . " Ultimate Star Wars " stated that TIE fighters built on Lothal had shorter wings . However , said that there is no difference . Since then , Pablo Hidalgo confirmed on Twitter that " Ultimate Star Wars " was incorrect . The reference book " " was the first reference book to identify the TIE fighter as the TIE / ln space superiority starfighter . It also defined the " ln " within the starfighter ' s name as standing for " line edition . "