Shadow Squadron ( Galactic Empire ) Shadow Squadron was an Imperial starfighter squadron assigned to defend the new Galactic Empire and enforce Emperor Palpatine orders . History . Shadow Squadron was an Imperial starfighter squadron that was formed after the fall of the Galactic Republic . Its ranks consisted of former valorous clone trooper pilots that had devolved into ruthless Imperial enforcers as the evil Galactic Empire was born . Shadow Squadron modified their V - wing and ARC - 170 starfighters to serve the Emperor new and more sinister cause , being specially tasked to hunt down pro - Republic remnants after the Clone Wars . Characteristics . Shadow Squadron pilots flew Alpha - 3 Nimbus - class V - wing starfighters and ARC - 170 starfighter / bombers that were colored light - gray with dark - gray markings and stripes . The squadron pilots wore armor that matched the dark color scheme of their vessels . Equipment . Shadow Squadron pilots were normally equipped with DC - 15S s , and usually carried astromech droids specially programmed for navigational support and starfighter repair . ARC - 170 pilots used R4 - series astromech droids while V - wing pilots were accompanied with spherical Q7 - series astromechs for navigation and in - flight maintenance . Armor . With the introduction of Phase II pilot armor in 19 BBY , Shadow Squadron pilots used helmets that were open - faced . Their flight suit was mainly black and the helmet was black marked with a silver stripe as well as the new Imperial insignia in place of the symbol of the Republic . Their chest plates were fitted with forced - ox rebreathers in case of severe damage to their vessel . Vessels . After the emergence of the Galactic Empire , war planners determined that a new start was needed for naval fighter craft . Slow , heavy starfighters were de - emphasized in favor of faster and more numerous single - seat strike craft . Since the V - wing was already in limited production , it was given priority . Vast numbers of this dangerous craft were subsequently produced in a short period of time . Shadow Squadron ' s V - wings had the speed , blasters , and maneuverability to make them formidable weapons . Additionally , they were painted light - gray with dark - gray markings and stripes , and the cockpit canopies were specially tinted to remove combat glare , thereby allowing for open - faced helmets that were clear for ease of instrument viewing . ARC - 170s were originally designed and developed by the Republic for assault and recon operations against Separatist forces . Built for endurance rather than speed and maneuverability , the heavy combat fighter / bombers were being phased out for more nimble starfighters with the rise of the new Galactic Empire . Shadow Squadron continued to use the heavy craft for their role in the Empire , modifying and customizing them further than the standard laser cannons and proton torpedoes in order to aid in the hunt for Imperial dissidents and pro - Republic sympathizers . Shadow Squadron ' s ARC - 170s were likewise redecorated and redesigned with light - gray paint and dark - gray markings and tinted canopies as the squadron ' s V - wings were . Behind the scenes . In 2009 , Hasbro released their Shadow Squadron 3 - 3 / 4 " ARC - 170 and V - wing starfighter vehicles and action figure based on the comic story arc " " , particularly issues and . A V - wing fighter resembling those of Shadow Squadron was released as a LEGO set in 2011 under the name " Imperial V - wing Starfighter " . The set features an Imperial pilot , with special black and grey printing , and R2 - Q2 as included figures . The fighter itself features Imperial roundels and black - and - gray colors .