Ship TIE/LD "TIE Light Duty"

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TIE/LD "TIE LIGHT DUTY" STARFIGHTER

AFFILIATION
Open market.

MANUFACTURER
Sienar Fleet Systems.

CLASS
Starfighter.

ROLE
Light starfighter/trainer.

COMPOSITION
Durasteel and transparisteel.

DIMENSIONS
Length - 7.24 meters.CREW
1 pilot.

PASSENGER CAPACITY
N/A.

CARGO CAPACITY
120 kilograms.

HANGAR CAPACITY
N/A.

CONSUMABLES
3 standard days.

SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
The TIE/LD has a top speed of 100 MGLT and has excellent maneuvering characteristics.

ARMAMENT

• 2x light laser cannon.

EQUIPMENT

• 1x ejection seat.
• 1x remote self-disassembly trigger.

DESCRIPTION​

The TIE/LD starfighter, better known as the TIE Light Duty, is a light starfighter originally manufactured by Sienar Fleet Systems for the First Galactic Empire. Based on the standard TIE/LN version used by the Empire's combat pilots, the TIE/LD is nearly physically identical to its sibling, but uses cheaper materials in its construction, has a lighter armament and possesses much more forgiving controls than the standard TIE. Intended primarily as a a pilot training vessel, it was and is used primarily to familiarize cadets with the TIE series, although it was used by both the Empire and other factions for various rear echelon duties as well.

Simplicity itself, the TIE/LD is about as bare bones as a combat spacecraft can get. Built around Sienar's revolutionary Twin Ion Engine propulsion system, which incorporates no moving parts, the TIE is little more than an engine/cockpit pod flanked by two large vertical panels, which mount an array of solar collectors that augment the TIE's reactor output. Primarily, however, these panels serve as heat radiators, improving the tiny craft's thermal efficiency. Like most other TIEs, the TIE/LD does not incorporate a life support system for its pilot; instead, the pilot must wear a sealed flight suit with its own life support box when flying in space. The ship's sole armament is a pair of under-slung light laser cannons, which can be de-tuned to produce non-lethal "tagging" bolts for combat training purposes.

As a precaution against theft and desertion, most Imperial TIE/LDs were equipped with a remote in-flight disassembly trigger, which allowed instructors or other authorities to pop the wings off in the event of a pilot going rogue.

The TIE/LD, although nowhere near as common as its combat-spec relatives, was still widely used in the Galactic Empire's pilot training program, and large numbers were built during the Imperial era. In addition to instructional duty, TIE/LDs were sometimes issued to ships and bases in areas of the Galaxy considered unimportant by the Empire, as well as to local allies the Empire deemed unworthy of full-spec Imperial equipment. Amazingly, the type is still made by Sienar, being mainly supplied as a trainer to various Galactic governments whose militaries still operate large numbers of standard TIEs. Of course, as with all cheap and readily available fighters, the TIE/LD is also used by rebel groups, private citizens, mercenaries, law enforcement, criminals and others.

LEGALITY​

Legal. Though they are technically starfighters, TIE/LDs are considered only light craft under most jurisdictions, and are not restricted in most systems.

INTENT​

To create a standard, low-end starfighter trainer.