The Missile Boat was bulkier than its predecessor, the Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wing. Unlike its predecessor, it relied mainly on warheads instead of laser cannons when dogfighting. However, it still retained a single medium laser cannon that can be set to rapid-fire. To help snare enemy fighters, the Xm-1 also had a tractor beam weapon with a somewhat larger duration than that of the TIE/D Defender. Despite its advances, it wasn't a complete replacement for the Star Wing, since it lacked ion cannons.