BTL Y-Wing

The Koensayr BTL-series of Assault Starfighters, widely known as the "Y-Wing", were the standard assault starfighters of the Rebel Alliance and early New Republic. Though replaced in New Republic service by the newer BTL-NR2, the -A4 and -S3 models are still commonplace around the galaxy, particularly in pirate or mercenary groups, or in Planetary Defence Forces of poorer worlds.

Overview

Following the success of the BTL-B during the Clone Wars, Koensayr Manufacturing introduced a further development of the BTL line, the BTL-A4. Successor to the "Clone Y-Wing", the A4 removed the gunner position and instead placed the twin-Ion Cannons on an independently rotating turret, leaving the craft as a single-seat starfighter. Though initially armor-plated like its predecessor, maintainers and engineers often found the plating difficult and time-consuming to remove, and so most Y-Wings were seen in a "stripped-down" configuration.

Y-Wings were among the primary combatants of the early Rebel Alliance until the introduction of the X-Wing, often stolen from reclamation yards under Imperial noses. Y-Wings were present at most major confrontations during the Galactic Civil War, including the Battles of Scarif, Yavin, Endor, and Jakku. Rugged and reliable, the Y-Wing remained in service despite the introduction of the B-Wing as its replacement.

Aside from the -A4, other variants of Y-Wing were produced, although in smaller production runs:

• The BTL-S3 was a two-person craft, with a gunner controlling the Ion Cannon turret occupying a rear-facing seat behind the pilot.
• The BTL-A4LP or "Longprobe" variant were -S3s converted to serve as scout or reconnaissance craft; the second crewmember and turret traverse systems were removed to make way for improved engines and sensors.