The RZ-1 A-Wing was the Rebellion's answer to the Empire's newer TIE models and was meant to the challenge the TIE Interceptor's speed and manoeuvrability. Its low total mass design emphasized rugged dependability, speed and power. It featured excellent sensor and communications countermeasures, including a powerful jamming package to blind targets before it struck. The very existence of the A-Wing was kept totally secret during both development and construction, causing a great surprise to the Empire when the Rebels finally unleashed their monstrosity. Imperial pilots refer to A-Wings as Edges. At any rate, the A-Wing has continued to be the Rebels' main interceptor starfighter as it was designed for high speed and manoeuvrability. Unfortunately, Rebel combat success took a dramatic increase with the introduction of this starfighter. In an ironic twist, there have been pirate groups who have stolen A-Wings from the Rebel Alliance, and have used them to combat the Rebels.

    It was General Dodonna who conceived of the A-Wing. He approached the Walex Blissex, and together they drew up the design for the starfighter. Mon Mothma was hesitant about funding the project, nonetheless she made the credits available, although not in the sum that Dodonna and Blissex had hoped. Though still extremely expensive, the project came well under budget. Due to their limited budget, Dodonna and Blissex were forced to make some substantial modifications in their design to cut down on the expenses. The lightweight A-Wing was assembled from equipment, components, materials and technology readily available to the Rebels. Blissex managed to get better performance out of existing components than the original designers of those components thought possible. However, the A-Wing is notoriously prone to breakdown. And as a result this starfighter suffers from an extremely high maintenance-to-flight ratio. It must be noted that the A-Wing's components are crammed into its hull due to its tiny size, and as a result even the lightest hit can cause critical system failures.

    On two occasions there have been A-Wings that seemed to cease operation suddenly. Unfortunately, overzealous TIE pilots turned the crippled fighters into space dust without thinking once of salvaging them intact. The A-Wing's engines, hull, and weapon systems are routinely subject to incredible stresses far beyond design specifications, and the fighter's maintenance to flight ratio is the second worst of any Rebel starfighter in service. Its poor operational records are due to the often unreasonable demands placed upon the fighter by Rebel pilots (and because of the delicate balance that flight techs must maintain with the fighter). At any given rate, the Rebels have found it extremely difficult to keep a squadron of A-Wings operational for any length of time. If not properly maintained the A-Wing does suffer from breakdowns, largely due to the stresses on the chassis and power systems caused by the fighter's massive thruster package.

    Since the A-Wing was first introduced by the Rebellion, its mission profile has undergone some significant modifications. The A-Wing was originally designed to defend Rebel bases and convoys from Imperial attack. It was determined through trial and error that the A-Wing was better suited to hit-and-fade operations than escort duty, as the fighter's speed would allow it to attack and escape before opposing starfighters could be scrambled. It is often employed for reconnaissance duty due to its superior sensor systems. And is frequently able to drop out of hyperspace into an Imperial fleet, take sensor readings and holographic images, and escape before it is noticed. One reason why the A-Wing was equipped with sensor jammers was to allow the fighter to disrupt opposing ships' targeting sensors, and therefore prevent accurate fire against the A-Wing and the ships it defended. The use of the jammer coincided with one of the A-Wing's original mission profiles, the protection of Rebel bases and convoy ships.

    There have been several instances where A-Wings have managed to attack our capital ships before being detected. Its unusual sensor-jamming array which is powered directly from its massive engines is generally effective only against starfighters. The jammers can completely blind a target's sensors as the A-Wing moves in to strike. Nonetheless, the jammer is capable of disrupting communications and sensors, thereby allowing the A-Wing to attack and escape before assistance can be called or to ensure its ship-to-ship combat success. The jammers are most effective against fighters, however, they work only fairly well against corvettes and escort frigates. Larger warships such as Star Destroyers have sensor matrices far too large and elaborate for successful jamming, and such an attempt would only give away the A-Wing's position.

    The pilot is almost totally exposed to weapon's fire due to the position of the cockpit. As a result, A-Wing pilots must exploit the fighter's lightning speed and their own willingness to take foolish chances to survive in combat. The A-Wing is an exceptionally difficult fighter to pilot. On top of that, its controls are so sensitive few pilots can handle the fighter. Due to the A-Wing's steerable laser cannons, it enjoys a far wider field of fire than starfighters with fixed weapon emplacements. It can open fire much sooner on an oblique approach and continue firing even after it begins to pull away. Piloting this fighter and using the swiveling laser cannons to full advantage requires more skill than most pilots possess. As a result, Rebel pilots have to be trained in the tricky handling of the fighter's swiveling lasers and high responsiveness. It must be noted that many top X-Wing pilots transferred to A-Wing squadrons when the fighter entered service. There may be some truth to the Imperial claim that many of the A-Wing's initial successes are due to its pilots, as the Rebels are hard pressed to find pilots who are qualified to operate this fighter.

    To date, none of our ships have been able to surprise an A-Wing. The A-Wing carries a full sensor array, which are powerful by Imperial standards, but not as sensitive as those carried by X-Wings and Y-Wings. Most A-Wings were produced in private shops rather than factories. For example, the A-Wing flown by Tycho Celchu at the Battle of Endor featured Fijisi wood paneling. These work shops used the same basic design, but the fighters were constructed on an individual basis. Some A-Wings were manufactured at the Chardaan Shipyards, which is a zero gravity facility. Its laser cannons are steerable due to a short hydro-servo bearing at the end of each wing tip. And on top of that each laser cannon featured its own power generator. More so, the A-Wing's canopy can be modified to improve pilot vision in tight confines.

    Its engines are efficient and deliver considerable thrust. The A-Wing relies on centred thruster-control jets for manoeuvrability, although the J-77s have adjustable thrust-vector controls for enhanced performance. Its wing-control units which control the stabilizer wings are tied into the J-77's thrust-vector controls, and are employed to assist the fighter in atmospheric flight. These adjustable stabilizer wings can be seen moving even if the fighter is in space. In summary, its nose contains the forward sensor array. Just before the cockpit is where the sensor jamming array is located. Located behind the cockpit is the shield generator. The targeting sensors are mounted on the laser cannons. And the refueling port is located to the right of the sensor jamming array.