The Alpha Class Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboat was designed for offensive strike missions against enemy convoys and fleet craft. Its firepower and heavy shielding made it ideal for escort roles as well. In combination with the Stormtrooper Transport, it was unmatched. Cygnus Spaceworks was awarded the contract to develop this starfighter after their successful development of the Imperial Shuttle. It was the first general deployment Imperial starfighter designed with shields and hyperdrive. Due to its unique five wing design, this starfighter is commonly known as the Star Wing. The Assault Gunboat has proven to be quite deadly in the field of combat.

    The first experimental Assault Gunboats were used in the destruction of a Rebel base on Orion IV. Later, while being performance demonstrated to the Empire at a test area, the Rebels kidnapped a number of Cygnus Spaceworks Engineers that had been working on the Assault Gunboat for part of their terrorist plan to destroy the ISD Invincible. Quickly after the destruction of the ISD Invincible, Assault Gunboats were pressed into service. They came into service a little less than a half a year before the Battle of Yavin. These five winged starfighters are excellent multi-role craft, their weaponry and durability allowed them to be able to conduct a variety of missions.

    Before the Battle of Yavin, the Galactic Empire began to employ these starfighters in hit and fade tactics similar to what the Rebel Alliance employs. Operating in small independent groups, they also conduct armed reconnaissance and were often prelude to a major Imperial attack. At least three Assault Gunboats were assigned to each System Patrol Squadron base (also known as Force Escort system outpost). More so, each Imperial Star Destroyer was equipped with five of these starfighters. After the Battle of Yavin, the Strike Cruiser Ion Storm which was assigned to patrol the Sisar Run was equipped with several Modified Assault Gunboats (which were in service at least some time before the destruction of Prince Xizor's Palace).

    The combination of its unique wing design that adjusts to flight conditions and its revolutionary Miradyne computer system, the Assault Gunboat is equally at home in space or atmospheric conditions. The Assault Gunboat's targeting computer is located in its nose, while its sensor system is located behind the cockpit. Its thruster control jets are located on the back edges of its wings, and its twin ion engines are found right behind the concussion missile launchers. When these starfighters land their five wings fold upward, just like the Lambda-class Imperial Shuttle.

    Like the TIE Fighter, the Rebels managed to get their dirty little hands upon the Empire's magnificent Assault Gunboats. To allow for the initiation of Operation Ram's Head, the Rebels operating under a ruse raided an Imperial System Patrol Squadron's base to capture three Assault Gunboats. The captured Xg-1s were later used to capture an Imperial CR90 Corvette that had been equipped with the same shield technology as the TIE Advanced [Before Hoth Version], which was critical to the Rebels' planned operation.