The T-65C A2 X-Wing is one of the two common models of X-Wing serving in the Rebellion's ranks, and since its introduction at least since the Battle of Turkana it has become the mainstay of the Rebel Fleet. This fighter features an almost ideal combination of characteristics as it is fast, agile, well armed and armoured. This fighter is supremely well-suited to the multiple-roles assigned to it, as the X-Wing is capable of dogfighting our TIE Fighters or conducing fast-paced torpedo runs against our larger assets. To date, the Rebellion has exceeded Imperial expectations in that they could produce this starfighter given their well known shortages of skilled manpower, supplies and materials. Yet, somehow the Rebel dogs have acquired the rare alloys and advanced controls systems which are integral to the X-Wing's construction. It is also known that the treasonous Incom design team which designed this starfighter oversees its production. On a side note, eventually the Rebels modify or fit some custom equipment on most X-Wings to adapt them to special needs or overcome parts shortages.

    Many of our TIE pilots joke that the X-Wings will fly themselves apart, but unfortunately this is merely battlefield humour. Regrettably, Imperial losses to the X-Wing have mounted as they have become more numerous. These excellent multi-role fighters feature long barrel laser cannons. Although shorter laser barrels hold alignment better, the longer barrels on the X-Wing allow for tightly-focused beams to have greater effective range. To prevent hazardous laser flashbacks caused by damaged or carbon-scored laser tips, the flashback suppressors deflect the excess energy away from the cannon and fighter. Severe enough flashbacks can overload the suppressors, which generally results in the destruction of the laser cannon and wing tip. Like the crystals that make up the laser actuators, the laser tips deteriorate with each shot fired. Constructed out of a polarized alloy, the laser tips must be constantly replaced. Ground crews can quickly replace laser tips and flashback suppressors thanks to the gate coupling which is a bonded lock coupler. These components are nearly as expensive as the laser tips and flashback suppressors combined, since the gate coupler must hold the laser tip in perfect alignment with the laser barrel. Due to the exceptional large amount of heat generated by each laser shot, each cannon requires its own cooling sleeve to rapidly dissipate the heat.

    Versatility offered by the T-65C A2 also extends to its weapons loadout. Well after the Battle of Yavin, Wedge Antilles of Rogue Squadron was shot down in the canyons of Kile II, and was captured by Imperial Forces and then transferred to the spice mines of Kessel. To mount a rescue mission, Rogue Squadron replaced their proton torpedo launchers with ion cannons to allow them to disable the Imperial Armoured Hovertrain that was transporting Antilles to the prison complex. Rogue Squadron had to disable the train before it entered the prison complex. Upon arriving on Kessel, Rogue Squadron managed to located Antilles, disable the train, get the Rebel pilot to an awaiting X-Wing, and escape from Kessel.

    A basic breakdown of the X-Wing's nose section are as follows. Its nose is composed of hardened alloys to protect it from minor impacts (primarily from micrometeorites) and layers of heat reflective metals to shield the fighter from the heat produced during atmospheric operations. To access the primary sensor array, the nose cone unlatches and swings upward on tension struts. Located in the nose cone, the sensor window is constructed from sensor-translucent materials to allow for the fighter's passive sensors to collect data which would otherwise be blocked by the nose cone's construction. During atmospheric flight a metal shield covers the sensor window. Also located in the nose section are the primary sensor array, which features a shielded circuit multiplexer that relays data to the targeting computer, and the sensor jammer. The X-Wing's reinforced landing gear is designed to handle the extra stress from wilderness landing and takeoff areas and unimproved facilities. Their support struts are designed to crumple in crash landings to minimize damage to the fighter by further absorbing the force of the impact. Replacing the landing gear is time consuming, however, it is inexpensive to replace when compared to the X-Wing's other components.

    At the front of each engine are cooling vanes which are composed of microporous blades that help to dissipate engine heat. Each engine is equipped with a centrifugal debris extractor which prevents fragments from entering the engine compartment, especially during atmospheric operations. A turbo generator in each engine supplies all circuit and electrical power, which thus allows the engine independent operation. Power surge vents, an engine safety feature can almost immediately vent the engine compartment of excess power output, fission byproduct, or cooling gasses. The variable geometry exhaust nacelles regulate thrust for optimal operation. However, it must be noted that infra-red suppressors mounted on the nacelles help to conceal the hot engine exhaust from sensor detection. Engines on the T-65C A2 feature repulsorlift performance which is nearly the same as the T-16 Skyhopper thanks to the turbo generator driven Incom Repulsorlift Drive Adaptor.

    Powering the T-65C A2 are a series of power cells and an ionization reactor. A centrifugal vapour fusion and ionization reactor supplements engine power, and generates power for all on-board systems, including the deflector shields. Energy to drive the engines are stored in the cryogenic cells. If the fuel cells are exhausted the reactor can drive the engines, but at greatly reduced performance. Located in the tips of its wings are its reserve power cells. These cryogenic capacitors, similar in design to the primary power cells store additional power for the engines. Shielded high-energy dynoric laser power lines run along the trailing edge of each wing to allow for easy access so that they can be repaired or quickly replaced. These power lines feed energy from the engine power converters to the laser cannons. All four of the X-Wing's power converters (located in the engines) power the fighter's internal systems, deflector shields, and hyperdrive motivators in parallel. A super-conducting recharging port with build-in filter and circuit breaker (to protect the fighter from current fluctuations and power overloads) is used to replenish all the X-Wing's power cells. For rapid starts and to keep the power cells fully charged during long alerts, ground power input plugs allow the fighter to be hooked up to an external power source such as a portable power generator.

    Other components populating the X-Wing's design are as follows. There are two ways to access the X-Wing's cargo hold. A large external hatch located under the fuselage is the first way, while the second is achieved by the pilot removing part of the ejection seat back. Commonly, survival and repair equipment is stored in the cargo compartment. Just in front of the cockpit on the starboard side is located an external computer link from which diagnostics on the fighter's internal systems can be run, or to load navigational and mission data directly into the flight computer or astromech droid. To eject from the fighter the pilot must pull a special overhead loop, which then activates explosive bolts which blast the canopy clear to allow the ejection seat to rocket away from the fighter. As the X-Wing pilot ejects, an ejector mechanism located inside the droid socket throws the astromech droid away from the fighter simultaneously. Powerful twin S-Foil servo actuators control all S-Foil wing movement. The servos are locked into position by cold-welded arrestors. At the rear of the fuselage an access panel allows admittance to the entire actuator mechanism. Mounted on the leading edge of each wing and on the tail of the X-Wing are its deflector shield projectors. Also, mounted on the trailing edge of the wings are the thruster control jets.

    A basic breakdown of the X-Wing's support systems are as follows. Its compact life support system is designed with humans in mind, however it can be adapted to the needs of other species. For long range communications, the X-Wing features a space cooled subspace radio antenna that is constructed out of ten kilometres of ultra-thin super-conducting wire which forms a tightly wound U-shaped antenna. For extended operations an auxiliary liquid cooler is engaged. All sensor data is analysed and interpreted by the targeting computer and the astromech droid to provide the pilot with a composite full-colour image via the cockpit holo display. Located above the instrument panel, the holo heads-up display presents the pilot with important flight and weapons data. A holo-video sight also known as the targeting computer screen extends to the pilot's face to provide precise firing data when the pilot activates the targeting computer. The flight computer comes equipped with a built-in diagnostic module to regularly monitor and test the computer, thus alerting the pilot to any problems. Meanwhile, the R2 unit keeps watch over all onboard maintenance and life support systems, augments the X-Wing's computer capabilities, stores astrogation data for hyperspace jumps, serve as an autopilot to aid pilots who are wounded or unable to operate the flight controls, and initiates in-flight repairs.

    The greatest strength provided by the X-Wing's astromech also proves to be its greatest weakness. Since the T-65C A2 relies on an astromech droid for its operation, if there are no available R2 units the X-Wing is grounded, unable to fly. Should the R2 unit be disabled in combat, the X-Wing losses its vaunted hyperspace capability. Furthermore, if the R2 unit being used by the X-Wing features hidden programming it can seize control of the fighter. Both of these incidents were illustrated when a lack of astromech droids forced a number of missions requiring X-Wings to be scrubbed and thus the Rebels began searching and locating cargo ships carrying R2 units. In the Rudrig System, near the planet Rudrig the Rebels located and pirated the BFF-1 Freighter ARS Opus carrying a cargo of R2 units. It soon turned out that the stolen R2 units were programmed to take over the X-Wings they were inserted into and deliver the fighter and pilot to the ISD Invincible. Three X-Wings from Blue Squadron were known to be subverted this way, and only the quick actions of the Rebel pilot Lieutenant Keyan Farlander unfortunately prevented the T-65C A2s and their pilots from being delivered into the Empire's hands.