TIE / sk x1 experimental air superiority fighter The TIE / sk x1 experimental air superiority fighter , also known as the TIE / sk atmospheric fighter or simply the TIE striker , was a streamlined variant of the TIE line starfighter s used by the Galactic Empire , most notably during the Battle of Scarif . Specialized for in - atmosphere missions , the atmospheric fighter was identifiable by its horizontal high - speed wings and large central pod . Largely because of its specialization for such missions , it was one of the few TIE models to be used by the Imperial Army as well as the Imperial Navy . Characteristics . The TIE striker featured flat , high - speed , pointed wings which were specially designed for in - atmosphere combat . For this reason it was faster than the standard TIE / ln space superiority starfighter . The TIE striker was able to gain additional speed by curling down its wings , engaging from flight mode to attack mode . The atmospheric fighter was heavily armed , sporting four pairs of laser barrels and proton bomb s that were particularly effective against vehicle units , dealing heavy damage over a large area . Although its intended role was as an atmospheric fighter , it could also be used as a starfighter to some extent , and accompany traditional TIE fighters . The TIE striker could be further modified with lightweight frames , thus allowing for an increased speed . The craft was also useful for shifting supplies and personnel from orbit to the planet surface , thanks to a larger central pod . History . In large part due to the decommissioning of many clone troopers from the ranks of the Imperial Military , fresh cadets were often utilized for piloting the TIE striker , of which at least one squadron did a fly - by near the then - under construction Death Star . The TIE striker served the Galactic Empire during the Galactic Civil War , a galaxy - wide conflict in which the Alliance to Restore the Republic waged a rebellion against the Empire to restore democratic rule to the galaxy . The starfighter was utilized for in - atmosphere engagements and the defense of important Imperial bases . In particular , because of the secrecy behind the Imperial security complex on the jungle planet Scarif requiring a vigilant and swift defense force , the TIE pilots stationed there utilized the strikers . Sometime after the smuggler Han Solo took ownership of his starship " Millennium Falcon " , a TIE Striker could be found at Nodo ' s shipyard . The TIE strikers notably defended Scarif during a Rebel attack that was part of the Rebel mission to steal the plans to the Death Star . During the battle , the TIE strikers entered dogfights with various Rebel aligned craft , with some also escorting a TIE Reaper to deliver a squad of death trooper s , the personal guards for Director Orson Callan Krennic , to deal with Rogue One . The TIE striker was still in the service of the Galactic Empire in 5 ABY , with several TIE strikers being present at the Rothana Imperial Shipyards around the time of the Battle of Jakku . During the battle itself , TIE strikers were utilized on Jakku ' s surface to combat the New Republic . Behind the scenes . The TIE striker was created and developed for the 2016 film " " . The TIE striker was first revealed on May 17 , 2016 , in a preview for " Rogue One : A Star Wars Story : The Official Visual Story Guide " , a cancelled reference book for the film that was rewritten as " " .