Z-95 HEADHUNTER

The Z-95 Headhunter is one of the most common fighters in the galaxy despite the fact that the design is older than most starfighter pilots. The starfighter is maneuverable, and its durability is legendary. Headhunters often are found in planetary police forces, and many pirate and outlaw groups use these ships.

The original Z-95 Mark I Headhunter was designed as an atmospheric fighter craft that could be adapted to space travel. Mark I Headhunters are twin-engined swing-wing craft. The bubble cockpit gives the pilot a clear field of vision. Z-95s typically have a set of triple blasters on each wing. While Z-95 Mark Is aren't fast enough for space combat, their maneuverability gives them a clear advantage against starfighters that aren't streamlined for air combat.

Incom/Subpro designers made modest improvements with each model year, and the Z-95 fighters from the last production run are evenly matched against other fighters of that era. These later Headhunters are more likely to be found in operation today. The swing wings were replaced with fixed wings, although maneuverability was maintained by adding maneuvering jets. Another addition was a more heavily armored starfighter canopy much like the one used in the X-wing, while heads-up holographic tactical displays were improved. The last Z-95 models look like primitive X-wings, and with good reason--Incom's designers borrowed many Z-95 elements when designing the original X-wing fighter.

Countless variant Z-95 models have been built because the ship's technology is well understood, and starship mechanics have no problems modifying the ships. The most frequent modifications involve replacing the weapons systems or enhancing the motors for greater speed. For example, the Z-95-AF4 (Assault Fighter 4) has been refitted with Incom 2a fission engines and armed with two Taim & Bak KX5 laser cannons and a pair of Krupx MG5 concussion-missle launchers.

Z-95s are good choice for defensive missions. Stripped-down Headhunters armed with concussion missles can be used as assault ships. The Rebel Alliance used a number of Z-95 Headhunters for training missions because a pilot familiar with the controls of a Headhunter can quickly adapt to an X-wing or Y-wing. Remote Alliance bases also used Z-95s for defense to supplement Y-wing fighters.

Han Solo flew a Z-95 Mark I when he led the defense of an outlaw-tech base against Corporate Sector Authority fighters. Solo used the Z-95's superior atmospheric capabilities to good advantage against the Authority's sluggish IRD fighters.