TIE / fo space superiority fighter The TIE / fo space superiority fighter , commonly known as the First Order TIE fighter , was a starfighter used by the First Order . A product of Sienar - Jaemus Fleet Systems , the TIE / fo carried the appearance of its predecessor , the TIE / ln space superiority starfighter , though it featured internal advancements that provided it with greater defensive capabilities . Characteristics . As the First Order was a junta inspired by the Galactic Empire , it also kept the TIE / ln space superiority starfighter design for their fighters , but upgraded the ship to modern combat standards . As First Order engineers operated under a less bureaucratic regime , technological innovations were easier to produce . Advancements from the Empire ' s TIE / ln included on - board deflector shield s that provided better protection and offensive capabilities , improved solar cells , and higher - capacity converters . These upgrades were a side effect of the First Order ' s change of treatment towards pilots , seeing them as critical assets rather than cannon fodder . However like it ' s Imperial predecessor the TIE / f / o still lacked a hyperdrive , making it dependent on carrier vessels for transport and limiting it to short range missions . The First Order TIE fighter was expensive and complex , although less versatile than the T - 70 X - wing fighter . Powered by vertical P - s6 twin ion engine s , the fighters lacked a hyperdrive , limiting them to short - range missions . A Torplex flight computer controlled the vessel , and for combat a TIE pilot was armed with twin L - s9 . 6 laser cannon s . The solar panel s fitted to the TIE / fo gathered light energy and channeled it through high - efficiency coils into a reactor powered by high - pressure radioactive gas fuel . An armored cover protected the solar array and its girandium - colium solar cells . The TIE / sf space superiority fighter was a two - seated variant of the TIE / fo , which only elite pilots were allowed to handle . History . Decades after the introduction of the TIE line , the distinctive starfighter remained a symbol of power and prestige for the First Order , which utilized its space superiority fighters primarily as attack craft to hunt down and swarm enemies in short - range combat missions . TIE fighters were also used to escort the command shuttle s of top officer s and dignitaries , and " Resurgent " - class Star Destroyers such as the " Finalizer " carried two full wing s of TIE fighters . Unlike the Galactic Empire , the First Order treated its pilot s as critical military assets , and established secret flight schools to extensively train its TIE cadets . TIE / fo fighters were deployed on Jakku in an attempt to retrieve the Resistance astromech droid BB - 8 , which was carrying the map to Luke Skywalker sought by Kylo Ren . TIEs attacked Niima Outpost , driving BB - 8 ' s protectors Rey and Finn into the " Millennium Falcon " , and engaged the freighter in a tense chase through the Starship Graveyard . The " Falcon " was able to evade and destroy the pursuing fighters , and fled into space . Having tracked the droid to Takodana , the First Order launched a siege on the castle of Maz Kanata . TIE fighters assisted in leveling the castle and killing many of its inhabitants , and engaged Resistance T - 70 X - wing fighter s in combat above the ruins . Although the TIE fighters were successful on attacking the castle and supporting infantry , they proved to be no match to Resistance fighter forces , ending up losing many TIEs against the versatility of X - wings and Poe Dameron ' s superb skills . The First Order ' s forces pulled out once Kylo Ren captured Rey , who was transported to Starkiller Base . When the Resistance launched an Battle of Starkiller Base , TIE / fo fighters were dispatched by General Armitage Hux to engage the X - wing starfighter s of Blue and Red Squadrons . However , they were unable to prevent " Black One " from entering the thermal oscillator and firing critical proton torpedo volleys which destroyed the oscillator . This caused a chain reaction that ruptured Starkiller Base , destroying many TIEs in the process , and destroyed the entire planet as surviving Resistance forces escaped the blast .