TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank

The TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank, also known as the Republic Fighter Tank, was a light, quick-strike hovertank manufactured by Rothana Heavy Engineering and used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars and later the Galactic Empire and Alliance to Restore the Republic during the Imperial Era. It was equipped with two heavy laser cannons, two ordnance launchers, and a turret located on the top.
==Characteristics==
The TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank was a light hovertank manufactured by Rothana Heavy Engineering. The TX-130 was considered quick and nimble for an armored fighting vehicle and was able to enter a fight quickly, give significant damage, and escape unharmed. In that capacity, it was sometimes compared to the Delta-7 Aethersprite-class starfighter.
The TX-130 was equipped with a versatile complement of weapons. Their primary weapons were a pair of fire-linked heavy laser cannons mounted to the hull. The cannons had a fixed forward-firing arc, although, they could easily be brought to bear on enemy targets due to the TX-130's agility. The TX-130 was also equipped with either a twin medium laser cannon turret atop the tank or a Taim & Bak KB-50a beam cannon. Some tanks were not equipped with a top gun.
The TX-130 also made use of rapid-fire ordnance launcher mounted on each of the vehicle's sponsons. This ordnance launcher could utilize Armor-Piercing Shells, "Bunker Buster" shells, or High-Energy shells. TX-130 tanks were outfitted with lightweight ablative armor, allowing it to defend itself against light anti-vehicle weapons and increase its survivability, which was supplemented by a quick-cycling shield generator.
The TX-130's crew included two pilots, a vehicle commander, and a gunner. An astromech droid could also be used, and the TX-130 could carry two passengers. It had a cargo-carrying capacity of 20 tons, and cost 85,000 credits.
==Role==
The TX-130 tank was designed to provide infantry support, engage light enemy armor, and escort allied forces. TX-130 used their mix of versatile weapons to give their Republic Military and Jedi officers tactical flexibility. They were also used for anti-armor and anti-fortification roles with their heavier armament. A group of TX-130 Saber-class fighter tanks was referred to as a squadron, while another sized group was referred to as a platoon. The TX-130 was designed with the tactical flexibility of a starfighter, making it swift and agile.
==History==
Used early in the Clone Wars by the Galactic Republic's Grand Army and seeing action as new vehicles at the First Battle of Geonosis that kicked off the war, the TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank was utilized against the Separatist Alliance. On Geonosis, the TX-130 was available to Jedi as a craft from which they could command their new clone trooper forces, with Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Kit Fisto possibly making use of the tank if they did not stay on foot. During the Clone Wars, the fast TX-130 tanks were used to frightening effect, and clone trooper units were at times saved by the arrival of a squadron. Due to the fighter tank's great mix of speed and firepower, the tank was popular among clone troopers and tank crews.
At one point during the war, Jedi Generals Plo Koon and Aayla Secura each piloted a TX-130. At least one TX-130 participated in a battle on a snowy surface alongside clone cold assault troopers of the 501st Legion. At another point, a TX-130 engaged B1-series battle droids and B2-series super battle droids in a desert environment using a beam cannon.
When the Republic transformed into the Galactic Empire, the TX-130 continued into service with the Imperial Army. During the Imperial Era, the TX-130 also came into possession of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. It was highly demanded by rebel commanders, and the Alliance tried to expand its inventory with operational tanks and salvaged hulls. Mercenary companies also used TX-130 tanks.
==Behind the scenes==
The TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank first appeared in canon in the Star Wars Rebels: Imperial Heist video game. It later was added to the 2017 video game Star Wars Battlefront II,Star Wars Battlefront II in the 2019 "Where are those Droidekas?" update, released on June 26. It costs 800 battle points to unlock.
The TX-130 first appeared in Star Wars Legends in the 2002 video game Star Wars: The Clone Wars as one of the playable vehicles used throughout the story campaign.Star Wars: The Clone Wars video game Details from this game, including referencing the TX-130 as a vehicle that might have been used by Windu at the First Battle of Geonosis, were referenced as canon facts in the encyclopedia "Prologue to the Clone Wars and the First Battle of Geonosis."
==Appearances==
*Star Wars Battlefront II 
*Star Wars Rebels: Imperial Heist 
==Sources==
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*Knights of Fate 
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*Star Wars Insider 194 
*Star Wars Insider 196 
*Star Wars Insider 197 
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==Notes and references==
Category:Saber-class assault tank models
Category:Vehicle classes of the Galactic Empire
Category:Vehicle classes of the Galactic Republic