Aurek-class tactical strikefighter
Production information
Manufacturer	Republic Fleet Systems[1]
Class	Starfighter[2]
Cost	Estimated cost 360,000 credits[1]
Technical specifications
Length	9.2 meters[1]
MGLT	160 MGLT[3]
Maximum speed (atmosphere)	1,400km/h[1]
Hyperdrive rating	Class 2[1]
Shielding	equipped
Armament	Heavy laser cannons (2)[1] Proton torpedo launchers (2)[1] 6 torpedoes[1]
Crew	Pilot (1)[4]
Cargo capacity	20 kg[1]
Consumables	1 week[1]
Usage
Era(s)	Old Republic era[2]
Affiliation	Galactic Republic[2] Onderon separatists[5] Numerous civilian organizations[1]

[Source]

The Aurek-class tactical strikefighter, also known as an A-wing, was the primary Republic starfighter, several models of which were used in the Old Sith Wars,^[2] the Great Galactic War^[6] and the New Sith Wars.^[7]

CharacteristicsEdit

The Aurek fighter was a 9.2 meter-long delta-shaped starfighter armed with two heavy laser cannons and two proton torpedo launchers, capable of holding six torpedoes.^[1] The fighter was capable of considerable acceleration and maneuvering, and had variable-geometry wings. They were easily refuelable and rearmable, thus driving down costs.^[1]

Although the Aurek fighters saw combat throughout a time span of 3,000 years, they underwent extensive upgrades and revisions from one era to the next.^[7]

HistoryEdit

Following the Great Sith War, the Republic entered an era of restoration. During this period, the Republic Navy requested a "Generation Tomorrow Starfighter" to replace their aging Star Saber XC-01. The Aurek was the winning design.^[1]

Aurek fighter models were used by the Republic during the Mandalorian Wars (3,976 BBY–3,960 BBY),^[8] the Jedi Civil War (c. 3,956 BBY),^[2] the First Jedi Purge (c. 3,951 BBY),^[5], the Great Galactic War^[6] and the New Sith Wars(c. 2,000 BBY–c. 1,000 BBY).^[7] They also saw service in the Onderonian navy and in civilian squadrons, due to a naval policy of reselling damaged fighters and buying new ones rather than repairing them.^[1]

Several squadrons of Aurek fighters comprised part of the Republic fleet that attacked the Star Forge during the Battle of Rakata Prime. A number of these ships were used by Jedi Knights to land on board the Star Forge during the decisive strike against Darth Malak's Sith Empire.^[2] Later, General Vaklu's fleet, which blockaded Onderon during the Sith Civil War, included fighters of this type, six of which attacked the Ebon Hawk when it entered the Onderon system only to be destroyed by the ship's dorsal turbolaser turret in the ensuing dogfight. ^[5]

Aurek fighters continued to see use in the Great Galactic War^[9] and later, the New Sith Wars. Hammerhead-class cruisers were capable of holding a squadron of Aurek fighters during the New Sith Wars era.^[7] The then-contemporary Corellian Colonizer Praxeum ships carried at least 12 Aureks each.^[10]

Behind the scenesEdit

As with most craft seen in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, this ship was initially unnamed. A number of fan sources speculatively named the ship as the W-wing interceptor and Delta-1 interceptor. Eventually, Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Prima Official Game Guide tentatively identified the ship as the "A-wing". However, with the release of Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, the ship was once again renamed to become the "Aurek fighter". As "Aurek" is the first letter of Aurebesh, the alphabet of Galactic Basic, the new name is considered to hold the same meaning.

The sound effect used for the Aurek fighter's engines is borrowed from that of the N-1 starfighter.

AppearancesEdit

• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 8: Flashpoint, Part 2
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Days of Fear
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 31: Turnabout
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Destroyer (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 49: Demon, Part 3
• Lost Tribe of the Sith: Purgatory (First identified as Aurek-class tactical strikefighter)
• Lost Tribe of the Sith: Sentinel
• The Betrayal of Darth Revan
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (First appearance)
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
• Timeline 3: The Return of the Mandalorians
• Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (First identified as Aurek fighter)

SourcesEdit

• Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: Prima Official Game Guide (First identified as A-wing)
• Leland Chee on their POD appearance
• Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide (First identified as Aurek tactical strikefighter)
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
• The Written Word on Hyperspace (article) (content now obsolete; backup links 1 2 on Archive.org)
• The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force
• Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side
• The Essential Guide to Warfare

Notes and referencesEdit

See alsoEdit

• Hammerhead-class cruiser
• S-250 Chela-class starfighter
• Foray-class blockade runner
• Lance Squadron