UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft

The **UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft** also known as the **UT-60D**, **U-wing** or **UT-60D U-wing Troop Transport** was a transport/gunship model manufactured by Incom Corporation and used by the Alliance to Restore the Republic during the Galactic Civil War. Used to drop troops into battle, and provide cover fire for them, U-wings were pivotal in transport and protection of the Rebel Alliance's ground forces during the Battle of Scarif.

## Characteristics

U-wings were manufactured by Incom Corporation. Their two wing-like strike foils, or S-foils, were retractable and could be positioned forward-facing or backward-facing depending on the situation. The movement of the S-foils was controlled by the S-foil articulation servomotor assembly. The backward facing, or flight configuration was used in combat situations as it increased the coverage envelope of the ship's deflector shields and helped radiate excess heat from the engine's core. The increased wingspan however, was often turned into an obstacle by rough atmospheric conditions resulting in the flight configuration primarily being reserved for high altitude and interstellar operations.

U-wings were armed with a pair of fixed-position Taim & Bak KX7 laser cannons, which were powerful enough to penetrate the shielding and hull armor of an *Arquitens*-class light cruiser. Since its primary weapons required the use of the ship's orientation for targeting, one or both of the loading doors were transformed into gunports with the mounting of improvised weapons. Therefore, any infantry-based heavy weapon could be mounted to become part of the craft's loadout. The Rebel Alliance opted to not equip permanent side-firing modifications so to not lose this versatility. One such example of these heavy weapons was the M-45 repeating ion blaster.

Atmospheric speeds of up to 950 kph were made possible by four 4j.4 fusial thrust engines attached next to the fuselage. Hyperspace was achieved by four Incom GBk-585 hyperdrive motivators with one mounted in each engine housing. Travel through hyperspace was often limited due to fuel requirements as crew life support requirements would greatly increase the fuel demands beyond efficiency.

The two-seater cockpit was located in the center of the fuselage with viewports above and below. U-wings were unusual in the fact that they were equipped with tandem controls. This allowed the craft to be operated by a single pilot or by a flight team of two. The standardized controls featured across many Incom Corporation designs are present on U-wings.

The U-wing's shielding, armor, and hold full of passengers led the craft to handle more like a heavy repulsorcraft than a swift space superiority vessel. In addition, its wide turning radius and subpar acceleration meant it would not function well in a starfighter combat role.

The older model U-wings lacked s-foils, and had two engines instead of the four that the newer models would go on to possess. A civilian version existed in the BT-45D but was not of use in combat situations as it was stripped of all its military offensive and defensive applications, as well as its hyperdrive.

## History

One U-wing delivered the captured Inferno Squad member Iden Versio to the security cruiser *Invincible Faith*, although it was a ruse to delete critical intel. The gunships also saw action during the pivotal Battle of Endor. They were deployed to the moon of Endor to secure Imperial assets right after the destruction of the DS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station. Shortly afterward, three of them attempted to board the *Dauntless* at Fondor, although they were shot down by Inferno Squad. At least one U-wing was also used to land reinforcements at Naboo during the ground stages of the battle during Operation: Cinder.

After the Battle of Endor, one U-wing was used by a battle-racer. When General Lando Calrissian joined the race to uncover an informant, they were attacked by an Imperial Star Destroyer. Calrissian formed an impromptu Gold Squadron, including the U-wing pilot, to drive off the warship.

Vanguard Squadron escorted a boarding party aboard three U-wings to capture the Star Destroyer *Victorum*. Vanguard leader Gunny was also piloting one of the gunships during her time with the unit.

A U-wing named the *Bravo Adventurer* was kept in the *Unlimited Projection* on the planet Utapau. It later became the starship of Indiana Jones after he used it to escape Utapau while on a mission with Boba Fett. By around 9 ABY, the droid K-7R3 was serving as the *Adventurer*'s copilot.

U-wings also saw action during the Battle of Jakku as a part of the New Republic Starfleet with at least one deploying New Republic Special Forces during the battle. It was nearly shot down by a homing rocket, but Jom Barell intercepted the missile with his own body by flying out of the ship with a jetpack, saving the U-wing and its occupants at the cost of his own life.

U-wings were used by the Second Union as troop transports during the Age of the New Republic to deploy Second Union soldiers into battle.

A U-wing diagram was included in the archival book and data vault *The Rebel Files*.

Yrica Quell took a New Republic Intelligence U-wing piloted by Kairos to the Entropian Hive during her mission to recruit Nath Tensent. Kairos continued to fly it as Alphabet Squadron was formed. During the Troithe operation weeks later, she flew close air support for Twilight Company. As they advanced to capture the governor, Kairos launched into the thickest part of the fighting, crashing her vessel and requiring medical evacuation.

## Appearances

* Remastered (First appearance)
* The Quest for the Crystal Skull
* Counterattack
* Coruscant Nights III
* The Sacred Water of Rugosa
* Bounty (Wreckage only)
* Into the Crossfire
* Into the Great Unknown (Wreckage only)
* Twin Engines of Destruction
* "Solo vs...Solo?"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* "It Gets Ugly"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* "The Good Stuff"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* "Hotshot"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* "Desert Sands"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* "Devil's Deal"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* "Alliances"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* Gambit on Geonosis
* "Jones and Mando"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* "The Gathering Storm"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*
* Invaders on Their Land
* The Sun Sets and It Rises
* "The Search for Buried Treasure"—*The Further Exploits of Indiana Jones*