The primary weapon on most starfighters are laser cannons, with additional weapons like proton torpedoes boasting additional firepower. Some starfighters are also equipped with an internal hyperdrive or connect to an external hyperdrive unit for faster-than-light travel. Repulsorlifts are carried as secondary drives for atmospheric flight and when docking or making planetary landings.
These engines are used to lift off from planetary surfaces, travel in deep space and engage other starships in space battles, while inertial dampeners protect the occupants from forceful accelerations.
Sublight drives propel starfighters at below lightspeed velocities, with the most common type being the ion engine. In the Star Wars universe, starfighters are equipped with the same fictional technology found on other starships. Within the Star Wars setting, a starfighter is defined as a 'small, fast, manevuerable, and heavily armed starship used in direct confrontations between opposing forces.' In addition to appearing in the saga's movies and TV series, several LucasArts games depict the player as a starfighter pilot. The following is a list of science-fictional Star Wars starfighters. It is not to be confused with Bird of prey (disambiguation).
