TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank

This article is about The 130 Saber-class fighter tank, which was also called the Republic fighter tank.
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TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank

Production information

Manufacturer

Rothana Heavy Engineering^[1]

Line

Saber-class assault tank^[1]

Model

TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank^[2]

Type

Speeder^[2]

Technical specifications

Length

8.2 meters^[2]

Width

3.05 meters^[source?]

Height

2.3 meters^[source?]

Maximum speed

200^[3] to 320 km/h^[2]

Shielding

Exo-Shell 3 (2)

Armament

Dual heavy laser cannons (2)^[2]
Medium twin laser turret (1)^[2] or beam cannon turret (1)^[4]
Dual thermal detonator/missile launchers (1)^[2]
- 16^[2] to 20 missiles^[3] (some carry 100 rockets^[5])

Crew

Pilot (1)^[2]
Co-pilot/Navigator (1)^[2]
Gunner (optional) (1)^[2]
Astromech droid (optional) (1)^[1]

Passengers

2^[3]

Cargo capacity

750 kg^[3]

Consumables

1 day^[3]

Usage

Availability

Military^[3]

Role(s)

Armored cavalry
Anti-armor^[4]

Year introduced

22 BBY^[6]

Affiliation

The Republic Interceptor TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank, otherwise known as the IFT-X or Republic fighter tank, was a maneuverable, fast-attack tank used by the Jedi Order and their clone forces during the Clone Wars.

Features[]

TX-130S-concept art — A cut-away view of a TX-130.

The TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank was equipped with twin laser cannons and a large payload of concussion missiles.^[1] Some models had a beam cannon turret on top.^[4] With a limited speed boost, Jedi pilots could remove themselves from tight combat situations, and then use the TX-130S's powerful optical zoom on the main turret to eliminate vehicles and personnel from a safe distance.^[7] Some were also equipped with an on-board R2 unit. The repulsorlift tank's armor was light enough to maintain its maneuverability,^[1] allowing the fighter tank to be used in an anti-vehicle and infantry support role.^[4]

Constructed by Rothana Heavy Engineering, the TX-130 was 8.2 meters in length with a top speed of 320 kilometers per hour.^[2] It had room for 2 passengers, 750 kilograms of cargo, and supplies for one day.^[3] It carried 2 Exo-Shell 3 Shield Projectors.^[source?]

The top turret of the tank had an open-cockpit for the gunner, while the tank's rear door was also a weak spot, and if any heavy weaponry landed a hit there, the damage would be more severe than any other section of the vehicle.

History[]

Saber tank — The wreck of a *Saber*-class tank during the Siege of Saleucami.

The TX-130S was sometimes referred to as the "Jedi starfighter of the ground."^[1] During the Clone Wars, the versatile fighter tank saw action on planets such as Geonosis, Rhen Var, Raxus Prime, Thule,^[7] and Saleucami.^[11] Many notable Jedi piloted fighter tanks during the Clone Wars, including Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Luminara Unduli, and Ki-Adi-Mundi who used the Force and superior skills to get the best out of these maneuverable craft. In the hands of these Jedi, these tanks proved a match for many Separatist armored vehicles.^[7]

The tank was phased out of service shortly after the proclamation of the Galactic Empire, and was replaced by stronger variants, such as the TX-130T fighter tank and the 2-M Saber-class repulsor tank, both of which having a different paint and aesthetic to the Republic's variant.^[7] However, production continued in secret, with several hundred models being sold to the Rebel Alliance.

These vehicles were used by Rebel forces during the Battle of Turak IV.^[10]

Behind the scenes[]

The TX-130 first appeared as one of the usable vehicles in Star Wars: The Clone Wars video game.

A first LEGO version of the tank (LEGO STAR WARS - 7679 Republic Fighter Tank) was released in 2008 and a second version (LEGO STAR WARS - 75182 Republic Fighter Tank) was released in 2017. A third version (LEGO STAR WARS - 75342 Republic Fighter Tank) was released in 2023.