While ground-based squadrons are not uncommon, TIE spacecraft are most commonly carried aboard and launched from larger Imperial vessels, such as Star Destroyers. Incredibly fast and highly manoeuvrable, a squadron of TIEs can suddenly fill the space around its mothership like a cloud of insects, swooping down upon the enemy fighters before many shipboard defensive systems can react. Armed with pinpoint weaponry and piloted by a single individual, the short-range TIE series was designed to serve such tactical missions as reconnaissance, barrier and point perimeter defence, and ship-to-ship combat.

Designed and built by Sienar Fleet Systems, the TIE Fighter comes in a variety of special-assignment models. (Though in normal discussion, the craft are usually referred to as "TIE Fighters" in any of the following configurations.) The TIE/ln is the standard fleet-based TIE fighter. It carries a separate power generator for its laser cannons. The TIE/rc is equipped with extensive sensor and long-range communications packages to assist it with its reconnaissance duties. Built for fire-control duty, the TIE/fc transmits precise targeting information back to its fleet. Finally, the TIE/gt features an enlarged hull for carrying torpedoes and bombs. This model was popular in pre-Endor times, however over the years it has, for all intents and purposes, been replaced by the TIE Bomber.

TIE is an acronym for Twin Ion Engine, and therein lies the secret of the TIE design's incredible combat success. Each ship's electrical/ion thrust system requires but a tiny amount of fuel, minimising the vessel's mass/inertia quotient to the point that it can make high-speed course changes that are simply not possible for other ships. The large, hexagonal solar array panels to port and starboard provide power for propulsion initiation and weapons fire, as well as serving to conceal the ship's cockpit module from enemy weapons fire and damage scan analysis.

There are three variations of Standard Imperial TIEs, and at least six variations of these. The Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet affords supplying its elite pilots with more advanced fighters, though in general, TIE Fighters are still the most common fighter in the Empire. They are cheap to produce (hence their great number) and operate quite efficiently, with two SFS L-s1 laser cannons, which may be operated individually, or fire-linked.

The original TIE Fighters possessed no ejection systems or defensive shielding for the pilot, instead relying on the maneuverability of the craft to evade enemy fire. After the Battle of Endor, when Imperial resources were no longer as vast and limitless as they were during the height of the Emperor's rule, the Imperial remnants began adding shields to TIE Fighters. The starfighters are no longer expendable. For the Empire to continue as a viable force, it has to conserve its weapons of war.

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