Perhaps via a modification or title?

Canonically, they should be able to fire behind themselves.

Computer says nooo

Probably not.
I really do wish they could fire behind themselves, even though they are fairly competitive and have no need for such an upgrade.

An A-wing Mark II title to allow rear-arc firing would be nice, but not actually necessary.

Given that mobile arcs require a specialized base plate I feel pretty confident in saying no currently printed ship will get an upgrade giving them mobile arcs. The only thing remotely reasonable similar to that would be a ship entering a new faction but even then it seems like it would be weird for say scum awings to get mobile arcs without rebel awings having them.

If they do, they'll treat it like the TIE Advanced Prototype and issue a whole new ship. This is for both logisitics (the A-wing base plates are already out there) and sales reasons.

EDIT: My reason for using the TAP as an example is to show that FFG has no shame in releasing a ship that is thematically, the same as an existing ship.

Given that mobile arcs require a specialized base plate I feel pretty confident in saying no currently printed ship will get an upgrade giving them mobile arcs. The only thing remotely reasonable similar to that would be a ship entering a new faction but even then it seems like it would be weird for say scum awings to get mobile arcs without rebel awings having them.

It's not completely impossible. Maybe an upgrade that goes into the missile slot that allows the A-Wing pilot to rotate the ship token, but without rotating the ship itself. The A-Wing remains forward facing, but its firing arc becomes a rear arc instead of a forward arc. Tying it to the missile slot will keep you from shooting Prockets out of your butt.

What source shows A-wings shooting out their ass?

It isn't canon but:

The slight A-wing's wing-mounted laser cannons could rotate up and down sixty degrees for greater fire control. Some of those designs even had their guns modified to swivel in a complete 360-degree arc, thus providing a nasty surprise to any chasing fighter.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/RZ-1_A-wing_interceptor/Legends

[Edited for spellin']

Given that mobile arcs require a specialized base plate I feel pretty confident in saying no currently printed ship will get an upgrade giving them mobile arcs. The only thing remotely reasonable similar to that would be a ship entering a new faction but even then it seems like it would be weird for say scum awings to get mobile arcs without rebel awings having them.

Yeah; I think a mobile firing arc in the same sense as the shadow caster is almost out of the question. But a modification card allowing you to say, attack any ship at range 1 even if it is outside your firing arc would be practical and a decent interpretation of this bit of A-wing background.

Cardboard is cheap. No reason new dials, baseplates, etc can't be released as part of a Most Wanted style boxed set themed for Rebels.

Cardboard is cheap.

Then why do we all spend so much money on this game

I argue that A-Wings have their place in the game. They fit a niche. They have a role. They see table time. Let's leave them there

Cardboard is cheap. No reason new dials, baseplates, etc can't be released as part of a Most Wanted style boxed set themed for Rebels.

I mean... There are 6 awing pilots so you have to fill an entire box with just existing pilot base plates for 1 upgrade card? It seems highly unlikely but I could be wrong.

Gameplay > fluff

Honestly As aren't poorly off (except poor marvel) and mobile arcs would be arc too much a hassle for their piddly 2 dice anyway

Cardboard is cheap.

Then why do we all spend so much money on this game

I only own the ships I play with.

Given that episode VIII is pretty much confirmed as having new A-Wing, there's a chance that the Mk.II A-Wing or whatever they end up releasing will have an aux arc. But I wouldn't expect to see a mobile arc, no.

Given that episode VIII is pretty much confirmed as having new A-Wing, there's a chance that the Mk.II A-Wing or whatever they end up releasing will have an aux arc. But I wouldn't expect to see a mobile arc, no.

We'll definitely get that new a-wing; whether it comes with a rear arc is too soon to guess at. We'll know more a year from now, probably.

All we really know about that A-wing now is that it is definitely not the same model as the ones we saw in Jedi.

I dont think this tshould be allowed on every A-wing pilot, if I recall only a few pilots ever did this- the most skilled ones, since it too quite a bit of expertise with gattng the targetting to link up well with the back.

Though i wouldnt object to see Pash Cracken be a pilot for an A-wing and his special ability being where he gets a aux arc/rotating firing arc, and they'd only have to give you one piece of special cardboard- his pilot square, plus the rotating arc token in the box.

Cardboard is cheap.

Then why do we all spend so much money on this game

Perhaps via a modification or title?

Canonically, they should be able to fire behind themselves.

It isn't cannon but:

The slight A-wing's wing-mounted laser cannons could rotate up and down sixty degrees for greater fire control. Some of those designs even had their guns modified to swivel in a complete 360-degree arc, thus providing a nasty surprise to any chasing fighter.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/RZ-1_A-wing_interceptor/Legends

Besides not being cannon, it was a non-standard modification. The normal a-wing only had a 60 degree rotation, making the first arc exactly right (since height doesn't matter in x-wing). SOME had it modified for 360, so if we got it it'd be a separate ship I'm sure, similar to the TIE/sf. MAYBE with the episode 8 a-wing if ti happens.

Perhaps via a modification or title?

Canonically, they should be able to fire behind themselves.

Yerh.... Not Canon and the point in the article doesn't even source a reference

If it was in some obscure comic or novel, one asks how did the pilot see to aim the lasers backwards? the A wing has no rear viewport, rear gunner or rear HUD like the Slave 1.

Yerh.... Not Canon and the point in the article doesn't even source a reference

If it was in some obscure comic or novel, one asks how did the pilot see to aim the lasers backwards? the A wing has no rear viewport, rear gunner or rear HUD like the Slave 1.

Elite training. Same way that B-Wing pilots were able to rotate their ship around their cockpit and still know how to aim the blasted things at enemy starfighters.

Yerh.... Not Canon and the point in the article doesn't even source a reference

If it was in some obscure comic or novel, one asks how did the pilot see to aim the lasers backwards? the A wing has no rear viewport, rear gunner or rear HUD like the Slave 1.

Elite training. Same way that B-Wing pilots were able to rotate their ship around their cockpit and still know how to aim the blasted things at enemy starfighters.

You'd think that would just be a moving sight on the HUD.

I don't think we'll see it, but it could be cool to have an elite pilot who's made the modification, and has the aux arc as his entire special rule. Of course, we've already got A-wings and Aces, so it'd have to be a third release of the same ship... don't count on it.

I really do feel sorry for the designers these days, though. The new movies seem to love having only one or two new designs per side, and to date they've all been incredibly reductive. If it goes on, we'll have same-but-better versions of pretty much every OT ship out there. I mean, at least from a game-play point of view we should be glad the TIE/SF isn't just a gussied up Interceptor, so maybe there's some hope after all... but we'll see.

Honestly, I wish the TIE/sf did have Interceptor wings, but with the same redesigned center section as in canon. But then, the Interceptor is my favorite TIE. Would be more practical that way, though. Much better visibility for the gunner and better firing arcs for the turret.