Kuat Drive Yards has long been a major player in the Imperial war industry. Manufacturer of the Star Destroyer (and many other ships). KDY has long wanted a crack at the snubfighter market. Since the TIE Fighter had been the fighter of choice for Navy planners, there was little chance, but their project teams, working closely with the new Emperor's Hammer Executive Officer and the Dark Jedi of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, have developed a design that has been on the back burner for years -- this craft's capacities are actually increased if piloted by one knowledgeable in the dark side!

The A-9 is a sleek, stripped-down fighter. Like other Imperial models, it lacks both hyperdrive and shields to cut all extraneous mass. In addition, it pares down the hull and escape systems (Imperial ejection systems are a joke anyway!). Reduced cockpit complexity makes the A-9 one of the easiest craft to learn. The fighter's weaponry incorporates twin laser cannon thats can be fired independently or linked (as usual). The A-9 is a very small craft, trading off mass for manoeuvrability and speed. Hopefully, this will make it popular with the elite pilot corps' -- such as that of the Emperor's Hammer!

Fleet Commander's Note: The production version of the A-9 (the A-9b) has been approved by the Command Staff for full distribution to Tau Squadron ONLY. The use of the T-I cockpit design will allow use of the new fighter-mounted TurboLaser Cannon (4% capital ship damage/hit!) as well as the use of the Dark Side (i.e. beam weapons) by the Dark Brotherhood Pilots. The inclusion of "force vents" on the A-9b will allow the Dark Jedi TIE Pilots to use this fighter and their Dark Side abilities to the fullest in combat. This should make the A-9 and its pilots (i.e. Tau Squadron) the deadliest fighters in the Fleet!

Sources:Horne, Michael Allen. Dark Empire Sourcebook. West End Games. June 1993.