TIE interceptor
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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. The Interceptor is also blue while the older TIE Fighter is grey. Otherwise both fighters play the same roles of 'space superiority' and share many of the same attributes, including a similar (if not completely the same) spherical command pod. Rebellion and New Republic slang calls it a "squint" because it is narrower than the standard TIE fighter. They are seen in the massive fleet battle in Return of the Jedi.
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 original production variant has four laser cannons mounted on each wingtip, but some fans (and the author of the Attack of The Clones: Incredible Cross Sections, Dr Curtis Saxton) have hypothesized a version with ten cannons, including an additional cannon mounted at the end of each wingtip and two more in the empty command pod hardpoints, much like the original TIE fighter.
Although the Interceptor only made its appearence in Return of the Jedi, the Star Wars Sourcebook (for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game) has stated that the Interceptor has existed at the time of the Battle of Yavin, where Imperial Star Destroyer's 6 TIE squadrons was a squadron of Interceptors (4 squadrons of standard TIE Fighters, 1 squadron of TIE Bombers). By the Battle of Endor, an additional squadron of Interceptors replaced that of a TIE Fighter. The Interceptor's absence from Star Wars (A New Hope) and The Empire Strikes Back was perhaps due to design limitations.
Emperor Palpatine, knowing the superior abilities of the TIE interceptor, had planned to replace all standard TIE fighters with interceptors. By the Battle of Endor, TIE interceptors filled 20% of the total Imperial Starfighter Force.
In the X-wing/TIE Fighter computer game series, whilst still unshielded, 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 the TIE Fighter game, the player has the fewest chances to fly a TIE Interceptor, only once per Tour of Duty and never after the 5th Tour. Interceptors are often outfitting with a small load of warheads in the games.
In the Expanded Universe, it should be noted that during and after Grand Admiral Thrawn took control of the Imperial Remnants, many of his TIE interceptors were shielded to minimize casualties due to limited pilot supplies, and limited ship numbers compared to the numerous TIE fighters.
External links
- Star Wars: Databank | TIE interceptor (http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/tieinterceptor/index.html)
- Star Wars Technical Commentaries | TIE Fighters (http://www.theforce.net/swtc/tie.html)