TIE Experimental M3
Production information
Manufacturer	Sienar Fleet Systems[1]
Designer	TIE Experimental Project under Director Lenzer[1]
Product line	TIE series[1]
Model	Twin Ion Engine Experimental M3 (T/e3)[1]
Class	Starfighter[1]
Cost	Not available for sale[2]
Technical specifications
Length	9.6 meters[1]
Maximum acceleration	20 MGLT/sec[1]
MGLT	102 MGLT[1]
Maximum speed (atmosphere)	1,250 km/h[2]
Maneuverability rating	102 DPF[1]
Engine unit(s)	Twin ion engines[1]
Hyperdrive system	Equipped[1]
Shielding	Optional (30 SBD)[1]
Hull	Titanium alloy hull (16 RU)[1]
Navigation system	None (slaved to control ship)[1]
Armament	2 warhead launchers[1] Standard load: 8 concussion missiles[1]
Crew	Remote control system[1]
Passengers	None[2]
Cargo capacity	75 kilograms[2]
Usage
Availability	Military[2]
Role(s)	Experimental bomber[1]
Year introduced	3 ABY[1]
Retired	Apparently 3 ABY[1]
Era(s)	Rebellion era[1]
Affiliation	Galactic Empire[1]

[Source]

The TIE Experimental M3, also known as the TIE Warhead, was an experimental member of the TIE series and a part of the TIE Experimental Project.

CharacteristicsEdit

One of the starfighters built by an Imperial research project led by Director Lenzer under the command of Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin, the M3 was essentially a standard TIE/In interceptor but with the original laser cannons removed and a pair of warhead launchers mounted on the outer wing hubs.^[1]

Being based on the TIE Interceptor, the M3 had nearly the same performance, with only slightly reduced maneuverability and speed. Like the other TIE Experimentals, the M3 was remotely controlled by a modified Beta-class ETR-3 escort transport. Most TIE M3's also had shield generators added with no discernible loss of performance.^[1]

HistoryEdit

At some point, TIE Experimental M3s crippled an X-wing group, but the first major Alliance engagement with the M3 occurred when Admiral Yamarus ordered a decoy convoy of Mobquet medium cargo haulers and Z-95 Headhunters to draw out the Experimentals and their control craft. The lure was successful, and the Z-95's, armed with experimental ion pulse warheads, managed to disable or destroy the entire Imperial attack force. The TIEs were found to be unmanned, and the life-support systems on the control craft were rigged to malfunction as soon as the transports were disabled.^[1] Renegade Squadron also made an attempt to steal a vessel of this class.^[2]

Later, when the Alliance ordered an intelligence-gathering strike on a TIE Experimental production facility, several waves of M3 fighters were found in the station's defense screen. The Empire launched a retaliatory strike on the cruiser Liberty, which included TIE M3's as the primary assault bomber. They were also present at the main research facility, defending the hangar ship Sardis and space station Obsidian.^[1]

After the destruction of space platform Obsidian, no TIE Experimental fighters were seen again.^[1]

AppearancesEdit

• Star Wars: X-wing Alliance (First appearance)

SourcesEdit

• Rebellion Era Campaign Guide

Notes and referencesEdit