Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 Starfighter

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Production information
Manufacturer
Incom Corporation
Subpro Corporation

Model
ARC-170 Aggressive ReConnaissance starfighter

Class
Starfighter

Cost
70,000

Technical specifications
Length
14.5 meters

Width
22.6 meters (wingspan)

Height/depth
4.78 meters

Maximum acceleration
2,600 G

MGLT
100

Maximum speed (atmosphere)
1,000 km/h to 44,000 km/h (with deflector shields on)

Hyperdrive rating
Class 1.5

Hyperdrive range
5,000 LY

Shielding
5 × 1016 W

Countermeasures
Sensor jammers

Armament
Forward-mounted medium laser cannons (2)
Rear-mounted laser cannons (2)
Proton torpedo launcher (1)
6 torpedoes

Crew
Pilot (1)
Co-pilot (1)
Gunner (1)
R4-series or R2-series astromech droid (1)

Passengers
None

Cargo capacity
110 kg

Consumables
5 days

Other systems
S-foils


The Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighter, also known as the ARC-170 starfighter and Advanced Recon fighter, was a heavy starfighter/bomber that saw widespread use by the Republic Navy in the later days of the Clone Wars.

Designed and manufactured by the Incom Corporation, the ARC-170 was an ancestor of the T-65 X-wing starfighter, which would be mainly used by the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

The ARC-170 was jointly produced by Incom and Subpro Corporations. Like their other starfighter designs of its time, such as the lighter Z-95, and the heavier PTB-625, and NTB-630, the ARC-170 had a narrow spaceframe flanked by large engines. The ARC-170 also possessed an S-foil system, which helped to radiate heat, something that aided the fighter's shielding. This also provided additional stability during atmospheric flight.

Using its front deflector shield projectors to disperse heat generated from air resistance, the ARC-170 could reach supersonic speeds in atmospheric flight.

The ARC-170 was a departure from other starfighter designs of the Clone Wars era. Fighters such as the Alpha-3 Nimbus and the Eta-2 Actis were built to be small, fast, and maneuverable, at the cost of heavy weapons, shields, and hyperdrives. On the other hand, the ARC-170 was large, rugged, and capable of long independent operations.

The ARC-170 was often sent on dangerous scout missions and raids deep in enemy territory. To allow the ARC-170 to perform these missions, the fighter was equipped with a Class 1.5 hyperdrive, and its nose was filled with powerful sensors, scanners, and jammers.

The ARC-170 carried enough consumables for five days of operation. However, the supplies and additional equipment had a price and the ARC-170 was quite slow. Durable armor and shielding, as well as two tail guns, helped the ARC-170 to survive when surrounded by swarms of smaller, faster enemy fighters, although it remained vulnerable to enemy anti-fighter guns.

The ARC-170 possessed powerful weaponry. It carried six proton torpedoes, and its wingtip-mounted medium laser cannons were unusually large for a starfighter. ARC-170s were often used as the heavy-hitters in strike forces, escorted by V-wings and Eta-2s.

The ARC-170 was crewed by three clones: a pilot, a forward gunner who operated the wingtip-mounted lasers, and a tail gunner who operated the rear-mounted cannons. The fighter also carried an astromech droid to perform onboard repairs and navigation. It was also possible for the pilot to operate the wingtip laser cannons if a co-pilot wasn't available.

During the Clone Wars, it was common for elite pilots to customize their vessels with elaborate designs, such as the elite Razor Squadron.

The ARC-170 that shot down Plo Koon's Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor during Order 66 was kitted out to display information on its cockpit display screen using an unidentified script.