TIE interceptor
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| Star Wars craft | |
 |
|
| TIE Interceptor | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sienar Fleet Systems |
| Specification | T/I starfighter |
| Type | Space Superiority Assault Fighter |
| Length | 6.22 meters |
| Weapons | 4 SFS LS-9.3 Cannons |
| Shield | none |
| Hull | 15 RU |
| Crew | 1 |
| Top Speed | 111 MGLT |
| Troop Capacity | none |
| Affiliation | Galactic Empire |
| Cargo Capacity | 75 kilograms |
| Passengers | N/A |
The TIE interceptor, or T/I, a fictional starfighter in the Star Wars universe, is an improved version of the TIE fighter that is identifiable by its bent-wing and arrow-shaped side wing panels, as distinct from the hexagonal ones on its predecessor craft. Both fighters play the same roles of "space superiority" and share many of the same attributes, including a similar (if not completely identical) spherical command pod. TIE interceptors are seen in the massive fleet battle in Return of the Jedi. Rebel Alliance and New Republic pilots refer to TIE interceptors as "squints", due to their narrow profiles (as compared to TIE fighters nicknamed "eyes"). The design is a development of the TIE Advanced Fighter and TIE Avenger craft.
Like its predecessor, the TIE fighter, the TIE interceptor carries no shielding but has superb acceleration and maneuverability. Improved avionics have been implemented and the radiator-panels have a cut-out notch to improve lateral visibility. The official materials place one laser cannon mounted on each of the four wingtips for a total of four cannons, but some fans (including notably Dr. Curtis Saxton in his Star Wars Technical Commentaries) have claimed the TIE interceptor has ten cannons, including an additional cannon mounted at the end of each wingtip and two more in the command pod hardpoints, based on the appearance of the model used for the movie.
Although the interceptor only made its appearance in Return of the Jedi, the Star Wars Sourcebook (for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game) has stated that the interceptor existed at the time of the Battle of Yavin, where an Imperial Star Destroyer's six TIE squadrons consisted of four squadrons of standard TIE fighters, one squadron of TIE bombers, and one of TIE interceptors. By the Battle of Endor, an additional squadron of interceptors replaced one of the TIE fighter squadrons. The interceptor's absence from A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back was perhaps due to design limitations.
Emperor Palpatine, knowing the superior abilities of the TIE interceptor, planned to replace all standard TIE fighters with interceptors. By the Battle of Endor, TIE interceptors filled twenty percent of the total Imperial starfighter force.
In the X-wing and TIE Fighter computer game series, the interceptor's speed and multiple cannons make it an effective craft against most Rebel craft, provided there are superior numbers of Imperials to prevent concentration of fire. Ironically, in TIE Fighter, the player has the fewest chances to fly a TIE interceptor, only once per tour of duty and never after the fifth tour. Interceptors are often outfitted with a small load of warheads in the games.
After Grand Admiral Thrawn took control of the Imperial Remnant, many of his TIE interceptors were shielded to minimize casualties due to limited pilot supplies, and a new imbalance of ship numbers compared to trained pilots.
[edit] Trivia
- In the Black Fleet Crisis, Luke comes across a farm run by several cloned Imperial aces. They spray the New Republic seal on their Tie-Interceptors and aide the New Republic aganist the Black Fleet threat.
[edit] External links
- Star Wars: Databank|TIE interceptor
- Star Wars Technical Commentaries|TIE Fighters
- TIE Interceptor on Wookieepedia: The Star Wars Wiki
| Vehicles of the Galactic Empire | |
|---|---|
| Entries in italics denote vehicles from the Expanded Universe | |
| Ground vehicles | |
| AT-ST | AT-AT | AT-TE | 74-Z Speeder Bike | Juggernaut | AT-PT | TIE crawler | |
| Starfighters | |
| TIE Fighter | TIE Interceptor | TIE Bomber | TIE Advanced x1 | TIE Avenger | TIE Defender | TIE/D fighter
TIE Hunter | TIE Phantom | Assault Gunboat | Missile Boat | Skipray Blastboat | A-9 Vigilance |
|
| Capital ships | |
| Star Destroyer | Super Star Destroyer | Executor | Nebulon-B Frigate | Corellian Corvette
Lancer-Class Frigate | Interdictor Cruiser | Carrack-Class Light Cruiser |
|
| Other | |
| Lambda-class shuttle | Death Star | Walker Dropship | World Devastator | Sun Crusher | |
| See also | |
| Star Wars air vehicles | Star Wars aquatic vehicles | Star Wars ground vehicles | Star Wars starfighters | Star Wars support craft |
|
