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This article covers the Canon version of this subject.  Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Legends version of this subject. 
This article is about the ARC-170 starfighter. You may be looking for the elite soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic or the episode of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series.
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"I am detecting that the ARC fighters have engaged weapons tracking systems."
Darth Vader's droid to Darth Vader[17]

The Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter, also known simply as the ARC-170 starfighter, was a heavy-duty model of starfighter used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars and was considered the latest in fighter technology. Jointly manufactured by Incom Corporation and Subpro, it continued to see usage into the reign of the Galactic Empire, but was eventually phased out by the newer TIE fighter series, though some found their way into the hands of the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

Characteristics[]

Vectored Thrusters XWM

An ARC-170 starfighter performing a barrel roll in atmosphere.

The Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter was a multipurpose starship designed for both intense battle and longer deep-space missions. It measured 12.71 meters in length, contained a hyperdrive, and propelled itself in realspace utilizing two powerful engine systems. It was piloted by a crew of three—a pilot, co-pilot, and tail gunner, along with an astromech droid. Long-range scanners and sensors were contained in the vessel's nose. During battle, the craft's S-foils opened to expose heat sinks and radiators to help cool the ship, and the two main forward medium laser cannons located on the underside of its outer wings were uncommonly large and powerful.[8]

Its laser cannons could punch through a capital ship's armor, and its twin blaster cannons provided a rear firing arc manned by its tail gunner. Furthermore, proton torpedo launchers increased the craft's usefulness in ship-to-ship combat, and added to its already extensive repertoire in its ability to serve as a bomber.[2] The ARC-170's deflector shields dispersed the heat generated by air resistance in atmospheric flight, enabling the craft to reach hypersonic speeds.[7]

History[]

Frontlines of the Clone Wars[]

The ARC-170 starfighter was initially created by Incom/Subpro for the Galactic Republic as a multipurpose starship,[8] and was a successor to the Clone Z-95 Headhunter. It participated in numerous battles during the Clone Wars, such as during the Battle of Malastare, in which it guarded BTL-B Y-wing starfighter/bombers armed with the experimental electro-proton bomb while some of them strafed the Separatist ground forces.[18] They also participated in the Battle of Kamino[19] and the Battle of Sullust.[20] ARC-170 Starfighters also took part in the Battle of Lola Sayu, led by Jedi Masters Saesee Tiin, Adi Gallia, and Kit Fisto, where they engaged vulture droids and droid tri-fighters in space, in order to break the blockade to allow Plo Koon and the Wolfpack to rescue Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka Tano, and Wilhuff Tarkin, who were under attack by Osi Sobeck and his droid escorts.[21]

OddballFrontlines

Clone Commander Davijaan flies an ARC-170 during the Battle of Coruscant

Later, several Wolfpack ARC-170 Starfighters were parked in Wolffe's Acclamator-class assault ship prior to Wolfpack going on their mission to deliver supplies to the people of Aleen, just after a series of groundquakes rocked the world, though the fighters never took part on the mission.[22] ARC-170 Starfighters and BTL-B Y-wing bombers also participated in a mission to rescue Adi Gallia, who was being held captive by Grievous. The fighters assaulted the dreadnoughts defenses so Plo Koon and his rescue team can board the ship to rescue Adi Gallia, along with C-3PO and R2-D2, who were about to be incinerated to scrap metal by the Separatists.[23] Several ARC-170s also participated in the Battle of Umbara where they were involved in breaking through the Separatist blockade to clear way for General Kenobi, General Skywalker, and their clone forces to retake the planet.[24]

After seeing use during the campaign against the supposed "Admiral Enigma," who was actually the undercover Jedi Master Quinlan Vos, and as part of the second battle of Christophsis,[25] ARC-170s played a major part in the Outer Rim Sieges. During the Battle of Coruscant, Clone Commander "Davijaan, or "Odd Ball," led Clone Flight Squad Seven to protect Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi on their mission to rescue the Supreme Chancellor. Several participated in the capture of Cato Neimoidia and, following the battle, shot down Jedi General Plo Koon when Sheev Palpatine issued Order 66.[9]

Post-Clone Wars[]

When the Clone Wars ended with the Republic's transformation into the Galactic Empire, ARC-170s naturally became part of the Imperial Navy, much like how the clone troopers who flew them became stormtroopers in the Imperial Military. As such, in the immediate aftermath of the war, several ARC-170s were used to keep the a former Jedi outpost known as the Brighthome under Imperial control as clones sorted through its inventory. When Darth Vader arrived at the station, he refused to give Imperial access codes to instead cut down the soldiers aboard, resulting in the ARC-170s moving to engage Vader's starship under the orders of one clone pilot. However, Vader quickly outmaneuvered the ARC-170s and destroyed them, leaving the clones aboard the station to assume he was a Jedi. Vader quickly boarded and cut through all the clones who came against him.[17]

Shara Bey ARC-170 XWM

Shara Bey piloting an ARC-170 starfighter for the Rebellion

ARC-170s continued to see use in the Imperial Navy at least five years after the proclamation of the New Order as the newer TIE fighter series came into production.[12] Squadrons of ARC-170s were deployed from an older-generation Venator-class Star Destroyer to assist Governor Wilhuff Tarkin and the Executrix during the Campaign at Salient.[26] Several later ambushed Kanan Jarrus when he tried to return to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant despite Master Kenobi's warning not to. It also served as a predecessor of the T-65B X-wing starfighter.[27]

The Alliance to Restore the Republic also acquired a number of ARC-170s during the Galactic Civil War, retrofitting them to Alliance standards. Shara Bey, Thane Kyrell, Braylen Stramm, and Norra Wexley all flew the ARC-170 at some point in the war.[13] The Amidalan rebel cell also acquired several ARC-170s and used them against Darth Vader during the battle on Polis Massa.[14] Jinata Security was known to use Clone Wars–era starfighters in its fleet as of 34 ABY. The ARC-170, V-Wing, and N-1 starfighter were among its fleet of fighters.[15]

Behind the scenes[]

ARC170 concept

ARC-170 concept art

The ARC-170 was named after "ART-170," the title of the artwork form by concept artist Ryan Church that inspired the finalized design. Originally, it was referred to simply as a "clone fighter" in the script for Revenge of the Sith.

The HUD seen on Odd Ball's ARC-170 cockpit during the Battle of Coruscant has the same targeting display as Luke Skywalker's X-wing in A New Hope.[9]

Appearances[]

Non-canon appearances[]

Sources[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Build the Millennium Falcon Star Wars: Build the Millennium Falcon 36 (Starship Fact File: ARC-170 Starfighter)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ultimate Star Wars
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Collapse of the Republic
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 StarWars-DatabankII ARC-170 Starfighter in the Databank (backup link)
  5. AltayaCite "Republic, Rebel, and Resistance Starfighters" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
  6. Star Wars Super Graphic: A Visual Guide to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Star Wars Complete Vehicles, New Edition
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Star Wars: Ships of the Galaxy
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
  10. Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
  11. Build the Millennium Falcon Star Wars: Build the Millennium Falcon 36 (Starship Fact File: ARC-170 Starfighter) states the Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter was developed before the Clone Wars began, dated to 22 BBY by Star Wars: Timelines.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Tarkin
  13. 13.0 13.1 FFGXWMG Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures GameARC-170 Expansion Pack
  14. 14.0 14.1 Darth Vader (2020) 5
  15. 15.0 15.1 Star Wars Battlefront II
  16. Poe Dameron Annual 2
  17. 17.0 17.1 Darth Vader (2017) 2
  18. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Zillo Beast"
  19. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "ARC Troopers"
  20. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Nightsisters"
  21. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Citadel Rescue"
  22. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Mercy Mission"
  23. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Nomad Droids"
  24. TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Darkness on Umbara"
  25. Dark Disciple
  26. Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel

External links[]

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