TIE/IN interceptor/Legends

TIE/In starfighter "Your generic TIE grunt is just plain suicidal. And the TIE Defender jockey is bloodthirsty. But the TIE Interceptor pilot, he's suicidal and bloodthirsty. When you see a squad of those maniacs flying your way, you'd better hope your hyperdrive is operational."

- Kyle Katarn

The TIE/In starfighter, or TIE Interceptor, was a TIE series starfighter used by the Galactic Empire. The TIE Interceptor was identifiable by its arrow-shaped radiator panels, as distinct from the hexagonal ones on the TIE Fighter.

It was one of the fastest starfighters in the galaxy at its prime, rivaling or surpassing the Alliance's RZ-1 A-wing interceptor.

Characteristics


Like its predecessor, the TIE Fighter, the TIE Interceptor lacked shields, a hyperdrive, and life-support systems. As a result, the TIE Interceptor had superb acceleration and maneuverability. Improved avionics were also implemented while the solar collector panels were lengthened and angled. This new design led to improved lateral visibility, and a more intimidating look.

The original production model only utilized four laser cannons, one on each wingtip. The cannon hardpoints located on the ball cockpit remained, and two additional cannons could be placed in those hardpoints if room for additional power generators could be found.

Later, Imperial scientists reengineered the TIE/In so that it had two laser cannons and replaced the original wingtip cannons with blaster cannons, making six cannons altogether. The two empty hardpoints under the cockpit were utilized in this model, creating a more powerful TIE/In. It is believed these models participated in the Battle of Endor. However, the older model remained a common sight in Imperial fleets for years to come.

Some have hypothesized the existence of 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.

There was also a special variant painted completely red with significant upgrades that was available for use by the Emperor's Royal Guards. It also featured two small wings sticking out from each solar panel.

History


Emperor Palpatine, knowing the superior abilities of the TIE Interceptor, as well as its relatively low cost, had planned to replace all standard TIE Fighters with Interceptors. By the Battle of Endor, TIE Interceptors filled 20% of the total Imperial Starfighter Corps, and overwhelmed many Rebel fighters.

Though unshielded, the Interceptor's speed and multiple cannons made it an effective craft against most Rebel fighters.

During and after the period in which 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 limited ship numbers compared to the endless TIE Fighters of years past.

Officers of the Imperial Navy would sometimes add shields and a hyperdrive to their personal TIE Interceptors, making them escape craft, as Apwar Trigit did.

Due to their speed and distinct shape, narrower in profile than the TIE fighter, TIE Interceptors came to be referred to occasionally as "squints" by enemy pilots. They later became the basis of the Predator-class fighter.

Behind the scenes



 * A seemingly irresolvable inconsistency is the appearance of the Interceptors in Star Wars: X-wing, Star Wars: Battlefront II, and Star Wars: Lethal Alliance, which take place before the Battle of Yavin. The existence of this craft during that time is well established in the timeline, since some sources say that the TIE/In was the main reason behind the development of the RZ-1 A-wing interceptor by the Rebel Alliance (as a countermeasure). It is not obvious how this can be reconciled with the majority of sources that states the Interceptor was made after Yavin. An explanation could be simple gameplay or a variety of other reasons, or simply mistakes on part of the developers.


 * In Battlefront II and Star Wars: TIE Fighter, the TIE/In starfighter has a warhead payload.


 * Numerous sources depict the TIE Interceptor as having only four wingtip cannons, but their very first appearance shows them firing their chin-mounted fifth and sixth cannons. It has since been established that each TIE Interceptor comes equipped with cannon mountings on the chin, allowing for the addition of two more cannons.