Aggressive ReConnaissance - 170 starfighter The Aggressive ReConnaissance - 170 starfighter , also known simply as the ARC - 170 starfighter , was a heavy - duty model of starfighter used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars and was considered the latest in fighter technology . Jointly manufactured by Incom Corporation and Subpro , it would continue to see usage into the reign of the Galactic Empire , but would eventually be phased out by the newer TIE line . Characteristics . The Aggressive ReConnaissance - 170 starfighter was a multipurpose starship designed for both intense battle and longer deep - space missions . It measured 12 . 71 meter s in length , contained a hyperdrive , and propelled itself in realspace utilizing two powerful engine systems . It was piloted by a crew of three — a pilot , co - pilot , and tail gunner , along with an astromech droid . Long - range scanners and sensor s were contained in the vessel ' s nose . During battle , the craft ' s S - foils opened to expose heat sinks and radiators to help cool the ship , and the two main forward medium laser cannon s located on the underside of its outer wings were uncommonly large and powerful . Its laser cannon s could punch through a capital ship ' s armor , and its twin blaster cannon s provided a rear firing arc manned by its tail gunner . Furthermore , proton torpedo launchers increased the craft ' s usefulness in ship - to - ship combat , and added to its already extensive repertoire in its ability to serve as a bomber . History . The ARC - 170 starfighter was initially created by Incom / Subpro for the Galactic Republic as a multipurpose starship , and was a successor to the Clone Z - 95 starfighter . It participated in numerous battles during the latter half of the Clone Wars , such as during the Battle of Malastare , in which it guarded BTL - B Y - wing s armed with the experimental electro - proton bomb . It also played a major part in the Outer Rim Sieges . During the Battle of Coruscant , Clone Commander Odd Ball led a squad to protect Anakin Skywalker and Obi - Wan Kenobi on their mission to rescue the Supreme Chancellor . Several participated in the capture of Cato Neimoidia and , following the battle , shot down Jedi General Plo Koon when Sheev Palpatine ordered them to execute Order 66 . ARC - 170s continued to see use in the Imperial Navy at least five years after the proclamation of the New Order as the newer TIE line came into production . Squadrons of ARC - 170s were deployed from an older - generation " Venator " - class Star Destroyer to assist Governor Wilhuff Tarkin and the " Executrix " during the Campaign at Salient . It also served as a predecessor of the T - 65B X - wing starfighter . The Alliance to Restore the Republic also acquired a number of ARC - 170s during the Galactic Civil War , retrofitting them to Alliance standards . Shara Bey , Thane Kyrell , Braylen Stramm , and Norra Wexley all flew the ARC - 170 at some point in the war . Jinata Security was known to use Clone Wars - era starfighters in their fleet as of 34 ABY . The ARC - 170 , V - Wing and N - 1 starfighter , were among their fleet of fighters . Behind the scenes . The ARC - 170 was named after " ART - 170 , " the title of the artwork form by concept artist Ryan Church that inspired the finalized design . Originally , it was referred to simply as a " clone fighter " in the script for " " . The seen on Odd Ball ' s ARC - 170 cockpit during the Battle of Coruscant has the same targeting display as Luke Skywalker ' s X - wing in " " .