Clone Z - 95 starfighter / Legends The clone Z - 95 starfighter , known more commonly as the clone Z - 95 Headhunter or the Headhunter starfighter after its predecessor model , was a single - seater starfighter developed by Incom and Subpro Corporations for the Galactic Republic ' s clone trooper pilots during the Clone Wars . A variant of the popular Z - 95 Headhunter , the clone Z - 95 starfighter boasted speed and maneuverability on account of its sleek design . It was equipped with recessed torpedo launchers and a pair of wingtip laser cannons , and its shielding allowed it to endure much damage , though it lacked a hyperdrive . The model was specifically customized for the clone trooper pilots of the Republic Navy , who often cross - trained in the Z - 95 and another Incom / Subpro product , the heavy - duty ARC - 170 starfighter , due to the similarity of both starships ' flight controls . The Republic Navy employed the Z - 95 starfighter in several capacities , including escort and starfighter combat against enemy forces from the Navy of the Confederacy of Independent Systems , particularly at the lengthy Battle of Umbara . A number of clone trooper pilots such as Warthog and Hawk became adept in piloting the Z - 95 in addition to other Republic combat craft . Squadrons of Z - 95 starfighters saw widespread use as part of fleets commanded by such Jedi Generals as Obi - Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker . Z - 95 starfighters were also stationed at important Republic facilities like Coruscant ' s Republic military base and Kamino ' s clone military education complex . Though Incom went on to produce further Z - 95 variants , the clone starfighter was phased out after the Republic became the Galactic Empire , which favored Sienar Fleet Systems ' new TIE Series . Characteristics . Developed from the Z - 95 Headhunter product line by Incom / Subpro Corporation , the clone Z - 95 starfighter was manufactured during the regime of the Galactic Republic , specifically tailored for use by the clone trooper pilots of the Republic Navy . At 16 . 74 meters in length , it slightly surpassed its predecessor model , which was 11 . 8 meters long . Its sleek design facilitated maneuverability and agility , with a long nose extending from its single - pilot cockpit . It had a similar piloting control system as another Incom / Subpro product , the ARC - 170 starfighter . The cockpit ' s features included a targeting computer . The starfighter ' s two engine units , a reduction from the Headhunter ' s original four , were mounted on double wings and required regular maintenance . A laser cannon was positioned on each angular wingtip , leading to a wingspan of 18 . 13 meters . Unlike the concussion missile weaponry of its forerunner model , the Z - 95 starfighter was equipped with more powerful , recessed torpedo launchers to supplement its laser power . The torpedo launchers could be loaded with other types of ordnance as needed . Three feet extended from the underside of the craft as landing gear . The craft was equipped with shielding but lacked a hyperdrive , as it was intended to be ferried into battle aboard larger capital ships . Being integrated into the Republic Navy , Z - 95 starfighters commonly sported white and crimson livery . Role . The clone Z - 95 starfighter was intended for starfighter combat , to be used by the clone trooper pilots of the Republic Navy . Due to its design , it amassed a reputation for speed and maneuverability , more so than its Incom / Subpro cousin , the ARC - 170 starfighter . Often deployed from squadrons in flight groups of three , members of the Z - 95 class saw action against equally versatile enemy units , from droid starfighters like the " Hyena " - class bomber , Vulture droid starfighter , and droid tri - fighter , to manually piloted Umbaran starfighters . Z - 95 starfighters were also used to escort bulkier craft during a battle , such as the Republic ' s LAAT / i gunships and space gunships . When not in use , Z - 95 starfighters could be stored aboard large capital ship transports like the " Acclamator " - class assault ship . History . Introduction on the battlefield . Due to the widespread success of the Z - 95 Headhunter line , which was manufactured by Incom / Subro Corporation and saw an upgraded model every production year , the Galactic Republic commissioned a Headhunter variant specifically for its clone trooper pilots . The result was the clone Z - 95 starfighter , which earned the name " clone Z - 95 Headhunter , " or more commonly the " Headhunter starfighter , " after its base model . Although more maneuverable than the rugged ARC - 170 starfighter — as well as another Republic model , the V - 19 Torrent starfighter — the Z - 95 starfighter had controls similar to those of its fellow Incom / Subro product , enabling many clone trooper pilots to be cross - trained in both craft before joining the Republic Navy . Alongside other models like the ARC - 170 and the V - 19 , the Z - 95 starfighter was pressed into Republic service against the Navy of the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars , being introduced toward the end of 21 BBY . It became a favorite of many clone troopers , earning a reputation for its performance and agility in combat . Some clone pilots such as Hawk and Warthog became versatile enough to fly other Republic fighter models in addition to the Z - 95 . Z - 95 starfighters were among a Jedi - led task force dispatched to retake the planet Umbara , whose Umbaran inhabitants had recently seceded from the Republic and joined the Confederacy . Several Z - 95 starfighters saw action alongside BTL - B Y - wing starfighter s under the command of Jedi Commanders Ahsoka Tano and Barriss Offee , who led an offensive against one of the " Munificent " - class star frigates in the Separatist armada that was blockading Umbara . Once the Separatist frigate had fallen , the Republic ' s Star Destroyers smashed through the enemy blockade and moved in to deploy their ground troops . Z - 95 starfighters accompanied the space gunships ferrying Jedi General Anakin Skywalker ' s 501st Legion from an " Acclamator " - class assault ship and other transports to the planetary surface , providing cover from Umbaran starfighters dispatched by the Umbaran militia . The Z - 95 escorts allowed much of the Republic invasion force to reach the surface . Headhunter starfighters also served with Jedi General Pong Krell , escorting him when he traveled via gunship to deliver new orders from the Jedi High Council to Skywalker . As the Republic targeted an orbital Separatist supply ship that was supplying the enemy defenses of Umbara ' s capital city , squadrons of Z - 95 starfighters and BTL - B Y - wing starfighters were deployed against the much larger Separatist fleet . Engaging in dogfights with Umbaran and droid starfighters , the Z - 95 and Y - wing squadrons took heavy losses until the intervention of Advanced Recon Commando Fives and 501st troopers Jesse and Hardcase , who commandeered Umbaran starfighters from a captured Umbaran airbase and used them to eliminate the heavily guarded supply ship . The destruction of the supply ship led to an eventual Republic victory on Umbara , with the Umbaran militia forced to surrender control of their world . Later in the war , a three - member squadron from the 104th Battalion ' s Wolfpack flew Z - 95 starfighters under Jedi General Plo Koon , who led a starfighter assault on a slave processing facility on the planet Kadavo . Koon ' s assault was executed in tandem with an attack by Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan , Ahsoka Tano , who worked to liberate a number of Togruta slaves who were being held at the facility by the Separatist - backed Zygerrian Slave Empire . Flying their Z - 95 starfighters alongside Koon ' s Delta - 7B interceptor , Warthog and two fellow pilots challenged the Zygerrian defenses , which consisted of tower - mounted turbolaser turrets . The starfighters ' cannons were unable to eliminate the turrets due to their ray shielding . Zygerrian - manned HH - 87 Starhoppers were soon launched against the Z - 95 starfighters , sparking a chaotic air battle between the opposing squadrons . The Zygerrians were eventually defeated , with Admiral Barton Coburn rescuing the Togruta slaves from the facility aboard an " Arquitens " - class light cruiser . Sleek starfighter . In 20 BBY , several squadrons of Z - 95 starfighters were stationed aboard High Jedi General Obi - Wan Kenobi ' s three - cruiser fleet of " Venator " - class Star Destroyers when it was attacked by Confederate General Grievous . Clone trooper pilot Killer was among the Z - 95 pilots ; his starfighter was shot down during the course of the battle . Following the destruction of his fleet , Kenobi received another complement of Z - 95 starfighters when he transferred his surviving crew to his new flagship in place of his fallen one , the " Negotiator " . Z - 95 starfighters also served with Anakin Skywalker aboard his " Venator " - class Star Destroyer . Following Republic Intelligence ' s discovery of a Separatist " Subjugator " - class heavy cruiser that was undergoing construction in the Enoth system , Skywalker brought along two units of Z - 95 starfighters — Red Group and Blue Group — to eliminate the Separatist battleship . Once forces under the command of Clone Captain CT - 7567 had destroyed the heavy cruiser ' s shield generator on the planet below , Skywalker had Blue Group engage the enemy warship ' s external Vulture droid defenses while he led Red Group into the nearly completed battleship . Errant clone Z - 95 pilot Shooter sacrificed himself to breach the warship ' s main reactor , imploding the heavy cruiser and completing their objective . When Skywalker later responded to a Confederate invasion of the planet Cato Neimoidia , clone trooper – manned Z - 95 starfighters launched from Skywalker ' s flagship , providing protection for a landing force of LAAT / i gunships . After bypassing the Separatist fleet , they joined Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano in mounting an offensive on the enemy forces entrenched within the Neimoidian bridge cities . Following the two Jedi ' s Eta - 2 " Actis " - class interceptors through the bridge cities , several clone trooper pilots and their Z - 95 starfighters were shot down by droid tri - fighters deployed from a " Providence " - class carrier / destroyer . Skywalker and Tano were later recalled to the Republic capital of Coruscant to investigate a bombing at the Jedi Temple . On Coruscant , a number of clone Z - 95 starfighters were held in reserve at the Republic military base , along with other starfighters and various matériel . Z - 95 starfighters were also employed for aerial security at Kamino ' s cloning facilities , particularly at the clone military education complex . When Skywalker led a campaign to capture the planet Ringo Vinda from the Confederacy , squadrons of Z - 95 starfighters engaged the enemy starfighter squadrons around the massive space station orbiting the planet . The battle lasted for several days , with Skywalker ' s 501st troops not making headway until the arrival of forces led by twin sister Jedi Generals Tiplee and Tiplar . During Skywalker ' s invasion of the Confederate - occupied planet Scipio , the headquarters of the InterGalactic Banking Clan , Clone Lieutenant Hawk and other clone trooper pilots flew Z - 95 starfighters as escort for the 501st Legion ' s LAAT / i gunships . The Z - 95 starfighters chased down the Separatist fleet ' s Vulture droids , creating a path for the LAAT / i gunships to reach the surface . Shortly thereafter , the Separatist naval forces retreated from Scipio , abandoning the ground forces that were already on the planet . Hawk and his comrades worked to obliterate the remaining droid starfighters that had been stationed outside Scipio ' s Main Vault , helping to win the battle for the Republic . End of widespread use . Although Incom Corporation developed further Z - 95 Headhunter variants , including the AF - series , use of the clone Z - 95 starfighter ultimately petered out . After the Republic transitioned into the first Galactic Empire in 19 BBY , the Empire phased out the clone starfighter in favor of the new TIE Series , a product of Sienar Fleet Systems . Behind the scenes . The clone Z - 95 starfighter was developed for the and was first featured in the episodes " Darkness on Umbara " and " Plan of Dissent , " which aired with the series ' in October and November 2011 , respectively . Since then , they have been featured in the fourth season episode " Escape from Kadavo , " as well as in episodes of the series ' and the . The episode guide for " Darkness on Umbara " on StarWars . com initially designated the craft as the " Z - 85 Headhunter , " implying that it was a variant of the Z - 95 Headhunter , but this was later changed to " Headhunter starfighter . " The starfighter ' s entry in the StarWars . com Encyclopedia attributed its current designation and clarified that it was a variant of the mainstream Headhunter line . The starfighter was designed by the television series ' crew with the intention of avoiding similarity to the T - 65 X - wing starfighter from the original trilogy of " Star Wars " films . Instead , it more resembled artist Colin Cantwell ' s original model for the X - wing starfighter . The Z - 95 starfighter was introduced in LEGO form in the 2013 video game " " . The game , which uses scenes from episodes of " " , features both a Light Side and Dark Side campaign . The Light Side campaign includes the Z - 95 as a playable unit at the build hubs in certain missions . The starfighter is also one of the enemy units in the Dark Side bonus missions . A LEGO version also appears in the 2014 mobile game " " during the Dark Side campaign as an enemy unit . It serves a role similar to that of the TIE / sa bomber .