The XM-1 Missile Boat was designed and constructed to counter the TIE Defender, since the traitor formal Admiral Zaarin was using the TIE Defender for his treacherous purposes. The SLAM System technology is new development to enable the Missile Boat to counter the TIE Defender. This starfighter is a development of the successful Assault Gunboat. The Missile Boat is the most powerful ordinance platform in the Galaxy, no other starfighter can carry as many warheads as this starfighter. One Missile Boat is capable of destroying an Imperial-class Star Destroyer or a MC80a Mon Calamari Cruiser!

    The Missile Boat came into service quite some time after the Battle of Hoth, but shortly before Admiral Thrawn was promoted to Grand Admiral. The Missile Boat was still considered experimental when it entered service, this was so due to the dire circumstances surrounding the treacherous former Admiral Zaarin's coup attempt. Unfortunately, Zaarin was able to get his hands on a few of the Empire's Missile Boats. Just before the Battle of Endor one of Zaarin's top personnel, Commander Namuura Din wanted to defect to the Rebels with his VSD Zeplin, in exchange he would hand over to the Rebellion one of Zaarin's few Missile Boats. The Empire was able to capture Din and his VSD, but the Rebels were able to escape with the Missile Boat. However, with the Battle of Endor imminent the ISD Garrett was able to track down the missing Missile Boat to a Rebel Stronghold, where the Empire was able to recapture its missing starfighter. Due to combat losses and Zaarin's successful attacks on Missile Boat production facilities, this starfighter was recalled from active combat duty and put into storage shortly before the Battle of Endor.