TIE/rb heavy starfighter

The TIE/rb heavy starfighter, more formally known as the TIE reinforcement battery heavy starfighter, and simply known as the heavy TIE fighter, TIE Brute, or the Infiltrator was a variant of the TIE fighter series starfighters used by the Galactic Empire, distinguished by its extra pod housing more powerful laser cannons.
==Characteristics==
The TIE/rb heavy starfighter was an Imperial craft of the TIE fighter series.
Unlike the regular TIE/LN starfighter, it was equipped with life support and a pressure controlled cockpit. As the fighter was theorized to be a larger target, the viewport was made of extra-reinforced transparisteel.
==History==
The prototype was created by Sienar Fleet Systems in response to the Empire's expansion into the Outer Rim Territories. A designer at SFS led a team in trying to arm the standard TIE model with the heavier H-s9.3 cannons, which it could not handle. The weapons were then placed in an outrigger pod, becoming the basis for the TIE brute.Starships and Speeders
Some Imperial admirals were wary of its development, believing it would reduce the need for larger support vessels. Like all TIE models, they were manufactured by Sienar Fleet Systems, and featured twin ion engines and micro-corrugated solar collector panels,Ultimate Star Wars with the power being transferred via a conduit located between the panel and the engine systems. The pilot was assisted by a droid intelligence system, which acted in a similar manner to an astromech counterpart.
At least three of the starfighters were assigned to the Kullgroon garrison. They were deployed during the uprising on the planet led by Captain Lando Calrissian and the natives. They were all shot down by L3-37 flying the starship Millennium Falcon.Lando - Double or Nothing 5
Cadet Han Solo, during his time at the Carida Academy, was assigned to fly a TIE Brute aboard aSolo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition Cantwell-class Arrestor CruiserStarships and Speeders as part of Onyx Squadron. His ship was damaged during a fight with pirates and crashed in the landing bay, leading to a tribunal.
In 10 BBY, one such fighter was again deployed to chase the Millennium Falcon inside the Akkadese Maelstrom and was the last surviving TIE Fighter pursuing the Falcon until Solo, now an outlaw, used a maneuver he learned from a street racer on Corellia, causing the TIE/rb to crash.
Following the Galactic Civil War, the Imperial successor state known as the First Order used a similar model of fighter during their own war with the Resistance.
==Behind the scenes==
The TIE/rb was first revealed in the very first look at the Star Wars Anthology Series film Solo: A Star Wars Story, the "Big Game" TV spot released during Super Bowl LII.
Its design, done by James Clyne, was originally proposed for Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. It was added to Solo when the crew decided they needed a "leader" TIE fighter. One of its nicknames was the "Bubba" TIE.The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story
==Appearances==
*Han Solo - Imperial Cadet 1
*Han Solo - Imperial Cadet 2 
*Han Solo - Imperial Cadet 3
*Jedi: Battle Scars 
*Solo: A Star Wars Story
*Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition 
*Lando - Double or Nothing 5
*Star Wars: Starfighter Missions
*Solo: A Star Wars Story Adaptation 5
*Star Wars: Commander 
*Star Wars (2020) 1
==Sources==
==Notes and references==
==External links==
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Category:Starship classes of the Galactic Empire
R-rb