A-9 Vigilance
Name/Model# : | A-9 Vigilance Interceptor
Designer/Manufacturer : | Kuat Drive Yards (KDY)
Combat Designation : | Territorial Defence Interceptor
Scale : | Starfighter
Length : | 7.4 Metres
Skill : | Starfighter piloting: A-9
Crew Skill : | Starfighter piloting 4D+2 and starship gunnery 4D+1
Crew : | 1 Pilot
Cost of Fighter : | 185,000 Credits
Nav Computer : | None
Propulsion System : | Twin KuatDriveSystems A-9x Thrust Engines
Sublight Speed : | 12 Space Units
Hyperdrive Rating : | None
Atmospheric Speed : | 1,300 kph (WEG=450)
Manoeuvrability : | 4D+1
Cargo Capacity : | 55 kg
Consumables : | 1 Day
Pilot Support Systems : | Life Support Unknown / Ejection System None
Weapons : | 2 Chin Mounted Heavy Turbolaser Cannons (Single or Fire-Linked) Fire Control: 2D Space Range: 1-3/12/25 Space Units Atmospheric Range: 100-300 Metres/1.2 km/2.5 km Damage: 5D (6D when fire-linked)
Sensor Systems : | Carbanti Sensor Arrays
Sensors : | Passive : 10 Space Units/1D Scan : 35 Space Units/2D+1 Search : 60 Space Units/3D+1 Focus : 3 Space Units/4D
Shields/Armour Rating : | Shields None. Hull 2D+2
Note : | EGVV incorrectly states A-9 is "no more manoeuvrable" than TIE Interceptor. A-9 is in fact more manoeuvrable. SWE incorrectly states A-9 suffers from "limited manoeuvrability". EGVV and DESB disagree A-9's design qualities - DESB states they are indeed very good, while EGVV states the opposite. DESB (185,000 credits) and SOTG (130,000 credits) disagree on A-9's cost. There is a possibility however, that KDY realized its asking price was far too high and thus accordingly, reduced the price to realistic levels.
The A-9 Vigilance Interceptor was a KDY design that had been deferred over the years due to Sienar Fleet System's dominance in starfighter sales to the Empire. However, the series of events now known as the Mutiny or the Imperial Civil War increased the demand for light combat craft. Seeing an opportunity to steal some lucrative starfighter contracts from SFS, KDY began to manufacture their prime design, the stripped down and sleek A-9. Like the TIE series, A-9s are typically unleashed in large quantities. It must be noted however, that operational A-9s had found their way into New Republic hands six months after the debacle at the Battle of Endor, as observed at the moon base at Brentaal IV, in the Bormea Sector. Like most Imperial starfighters, the A-9 reduces extraneous mass by doing without shields and hyperdrive capability. However, in a further effort to reduce mass, which robs a starfighter of its manoeuvrability, KDY designers pared down the hull (which is less robust than the TIE Interceptor) and escape systems. This compact fighter possesses only a pair of retractable landing gear, one on each engine. Each of the powerful engines features its own power generator, as do the A-9's cannons. Thanks to its computer control system, power can be rerouted from any of these generators to other systems. Thus, if the engine power generators fail (and assuming the engines are still functional), the pilot can limp back to base by transferring weapon power to the engines. Its cannons spit out more firepower than the X-Wing's laser cannons. A modification kit allows the cannons to be independently targeted, even though they are usually fire-linked for simultaneous fire. Included in the kit is a servo driver system that permits the cannons to depress up to 90 degrees, thereby allowing strafing runs against ground targets. For reasons unknown, A-9 Vigilance combat results have been consistently disappointing for the Empire, even though KDY promised this design to be a superior fighter. Accordingly, sales of this fighter have not been a huge success for KDY. This design is as limited in its utility as the A-Wing starfighter. On a brighter note, the A-9 is one of the least difficult starfighters to learn thanks to its reduced cockpit complexity. This tiny starfighter is popular among the elite pilot corps due to its manoeuvrability. Due to its attributes, the A-9 is perfectly suited for shock attacks against slower starfighters and capital ships, as well as reinforced New Republic bases. Kuat Drive Yards is currently suspected of developing an improved and far tougher A-9 design. Due to Governor Abam Tev's foolish management of franchised KDY factories on her impoverished world, she inspired the very revolts that would not only hand over her planet, but also the A-9 factories over to the New Republic six years after the Battle of Endor. The governor ran her factories with no safety precautions, and forced the workers to endure low pay; in essence running those facilities like slave yards. As a result, she inspired the first Rebel cells in her system who eventually grew tired of the deteriorating conditions, and handed over Kuat Drive Yard's state-of-the-art design to an all too happy New Republic. With a design this good, the compromise of setting aside its preference for hyperspace capable starfighters was worth it for the New Republic. However, for reasons unknown New Republic technicians were not impressed after they thoroughly examined the design. Nevertheless, it is known that they do intend to implement some of the A-9's design elements in future New Republic starfighters. Upon receiving these prototype starfighters (from the planet which disposed of Governor Tev) at Pinnacle Base, New Republic pilots had merely only one day to learn this starfighter's controls before heading off into battle; due to the World Devastators attacking the wretched planet of Mon Calamari.
Pictures For This Data Entry - Click Here |
Sources: DE (Scene where Millennium Falcon arrives at Pinnacle Base), (Scene where Solo shows off the A-9) / DESB***Pg 35, 102, 103 / EGVV***Pg 8, 9 / SOTG***Pg 62, 63 / XWRSITES (Scene Coruscant, Imperial Sanctum), (Scene where Koyi Komad just transferred to Rogue Squadron to become its chief tech) / SWE+A-9 Vigilance Interceptor***Pg 1
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