Editing A-wing (section)

== Depiction ==
According to [[Star Wars canon|''Star Wars'' canon]], the A-wing was first produced by Kuat Systems Engineering, which had built the [[Delta-7]] starfighter for the [[Jedi Order]].  With the Jedi eradicated (as depicted in ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'') and the Delta-7 nearly impossible for non-Jedi to pilot, Kuat designed a new starfighter, the R-22 A-wing, in hopes the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]] would purchase it.  While impressed with prototypes of the R-22, the Empire instead went with the [[TIE fighter]], and forbade Kuat from mass-producing the A-wing.  The prototypes were sold to the kingdom of Tammuz-an, which over a decade later were eventually sold to the Rebel Alliance.<ref name=swrsowm>{{cite book |title=Star Wars: Rebel Starfighters: Owners' Workshop Manual |publisher=Insight Editions |year=2019 |isbn=978-1683839361}}</ref> 

Rebel engineers made many alterations to the original R-22 design to produce the RZ-1 model as seen in ''Return of the Jedi''.  The original engines were swapped out for more powerful ones, while other major components were replaced with lightweight versions so a [[supraluminal]] [[Hyperdrive (Star Wars)|hyperdrive]] could be added.  The resulting fighter is faster than even the Empire's [[TIE interceptor]] and perfect for [[Hit-and-run tactics|hit-and-run]] attacks, long-range patrols, and [[reconnaissance]] missions.  Its two laser cannons, mounted on special swivel mounts, can elevate or depress 60° vertically; some were modified for full 360° rotation but these had a greater chance to jam. However, engineers could not fit the A-wing with an [[astromech droid]], which limited how many hyperspace coordinates it could carry.  The lack of droid assistance also makes it challenging even for a being with Jedi-like reflexes to control a fighter so fast and maneuverable.  Consequently, only the best Rebel pilots are allowed to fly the A-wing.<ref name=swrsowm/>

After the Empire was defeated, background material explains how Kuat Systems Engineering made a number of improvements to the design to create the RZ-2 A-wing for the [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]] Defense Fleet.  Even faster than the original, the RZ-2 requires less maintenance than the RZ-1, and the swivel mounts that allow its laser cannons to rotate 360° were no longer at risk of jamming.  Thanks to the New Republic's disarmament campaign, RZ-2s found their way into the [[Resistance (Star Wars)|Resistance]], which like the Rebellion before allows only the best pilots to fly the A-wing.<ref name=swrsowm/>