TIE/IN interceptor/Legends

"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 solar collection panels, a distinct difference from the hexagonal solar arrays of its predecessor, the TIE Fighter. The Interceptor was one of the fastest starfighters in the galaxy at its prime, nearly rivaling the Alliance's RZ-1 A-wing interceptor.

Due to their speed, distinct shape, and narrow profile in comparison to the TIE/ln starfighter (which was nicknamed "eyeball"), TIE Interceptors came to be referred to occasionally as "squints" by enemy pilots.

Characteristics
Like most TIE models, the TIE Interceptor shared nearly identical cockpits, drive pods, and wing brace designs with the TIE Fighter. The solar collector panels were lengthened and angled, and the forward center section was removed. This new solar array design gave the Interceptor its unmistakable dagger-like appearance, while providing the pilot with increased visibility and shrinking its profile to make targeting more frustrating for enemy gunners. This wing design gave the craft a more menacing visage, continuing the Empire's reputation of ruling through fear.

The original production model came equipped with four L-s9.3 laser cannons, one installed on each wingtip. New targeting software was, among other advancements, installed in the TIE Interceptor, and the SFS T-s9a targeting computer offered greater accuracy during complex flight maneuvers. Twin laser cannon hardpoints still remained on the "chin" portion of the cockpit module. Provided that technicians could find room for additional power generators, these cannons could also be utilized.

Later TIE Interceptor models were modified to carry four blaster cannons, replacing the original wingtip laser cannons, along with twin chin-mounted laser cannons. However, the older model remained a common sight in Imperial fleets for years to come.

The TIE Interceptor fielded P-s5.6 twin ion engines. The new engines included an advanced ion-stream projector, thus allowing pilots access to more sophisticated combat maneuvers. Twin-port deflectors supported this feat by allowing the pilot individual manipulation of the deflectors, thus providing finer flight control. These advancements in engine technology made the TIE Interceptor a superior platform in space combat, achieving speeds beyond all other Alliance starfighters short of the RZ-1 A-wing interceptor.

The TIE Interceptor's primary role was as its title suggested. Like its predecessors, the Interceptor lacked heavier armor, deflector shields, a hyperdrive, and life support systems. Interceptor pilots were forced to rely on speed, maneuverability, superior numbers, and advanced weapon systems to prevail in its primary role of space superiority. The craft's drawbacks meant that any pilot who survived more than a few missions was considered to be a "top gun" in the Imperial fleet.

With no hyperdrive, the TIE Interceptor was reliant on a capital ship for an operations base. Star Destroyers and prominent shipyards such as Kuat and Fondor were common staging areas for Interceptor squadrons; however, smaller vessels and more remote locations had to rely on aging TIE/ln fighters.

There was also a special variant, painted completely red with significant upgrades, that was available for use by the Emperor's Royal Guards. Aside from its paint job and upgrades, this model also featured two small wings protruding from each solar panel.

TIE Interceptors had powerful solar ionization reactors, the same model used in the TIE Avenger. These could handle the special equipment built into the Interceptor, including deflector shields, beam weapons such as special beam jammers, decoy beams, hyperdrives and extra missile racks for increased warhead payload. It was common for Alpha Squadron, Avenger Squadron, Delta Squadron, Gamma Squadron, Sunspot Squadron, and others to carry one or most of these pieces of special equipment at a time.

History
The TIE Interceptor was designed to have the power of the TIE/Advanced starfighter but be more cost-effective, as the TIE/Advanced was too expensive to mass-produce.

TIE Interceptors were the new fighter force of the Empire after the Battle of Yavin, but it seems that test models were frequently seen in space battle prior to and during that time in campaigns such as Operation Strike Fear and Operation: Skyhook.

Emperor Palpatine, aware of 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 twenty percent of the total Imperial starfighter complement, and overwhelmed many Rebel fighters.

TIE interceptors dueled with the Rebel's premier T-65B X-wing starfighter squadron, the Rogues, in numerous battles around six months after the destruction of the Imperial Death Star. A TIE Interceptor captured at the Liberation of Gerrard V was stored in the Rogue's hangar.

The TIE Interceptor was considered one of the best, if not the best starfighters for dogfighting. It was often used by elite Imperial TIE squadrons like the 181st, the 128th, Alpha Squadron, and Avenger Squadron. The Interceptor was also used by squadron leaders in TIE/ln starfighter squadrons, as well as being used by Imperial personnel not in the Imperial TIE Fighter Corps, or the Imperial Navy.

Modified TIE Interceptors were used by Warlord Zsinj in an attempt to bait and kill Wedge Antilles. Finding that Wraith Squadron and Rogue Squadron, under Antilles' leadership, were significant impediments to his plans, the Warlord modified twelve Interceptors with droid brains and high-explosives. These ships would fly under the coordination of a central computer and be paired with a piloted craft. They were intended to close with enemy craft and detonate their explosive payloads. The two squadrons thus formed pretended to be the Imperial 181st Fighter Squadron under the command of Baron Soontir Fel.

The Warlord knew that Antilles and Fel had a personal relationship, though he was unaware of its true nature. Using actors such as Tetran Cowall and computer voice modification, he was successful in his efforts to deceive Antilles. However, Voort saBinring deduced that the ships must be automated and jammed their signal, making them easy prey for the Wraiths and Rogues combined. Finally, Wedge splashed Fel's ship, only to discover Tetran Cowall instead of the Baron.

Due to limited pilots and fighters, Grand Admiral Thrawn had many TIE Interceptors fitted with shields to minimize casualties during his reign of the Imperial Remnant. This practice was continued after his death as the Empire could no longer afford to field profuse fleets of TIE Fighters.

Officers of the Imperial Navy were sometimes known to adopt TIE Interceptors as their personal craft, installing shield projectors and hyperdrives so the Interceptors could be utilized as escape vehicles. Apwar Trigit was one such officer.

The TIE/In starfighter later became the basis of the Predator-class fighter.

Behind the scenes
Several sources state 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) and that the Interceptor was deployed after Yavin.

However, the existence of the TIE Interceptor around the Battle of Yavin was well established in the timeline. Interceptors made appearances in Star Wars: X-wing, Star Wars: Battlefront II, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith video game, LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (though the Lego Star Wars games are non-canon), and Star Wars: Lethal Alliance, all of which take place before, during, or shortly after the Battle of Yavin. West End Games' Star Wars Sourcebook stated that at the time of Yavin, standard Imperial Star Destroyers carried one squadron of Interceptors (12 craft), one Bomber squadron, and four TIE/ln starfighter squadrons. By the time of the Battle of Endor, an additional Interceptor squadron has replaced that of the TIE/ln.

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

In 1998, players could fly the Interceptor in unlocked missions in Star Wars: Rogue Squadron if they earned all silver medals during the campaign.

The post-production speed/maneuverability chart for Return of the Jedi lists the TIE Interceptor as being able to go up to 125 MGLTs and having a maneuverability rating of High.

Many of the models of the TIE Interceptor used in Return of the Jedi have four laser cannons on their wingtips; however, the main model used in the "Return of the Jedi collection" section of the Blu-ray special edition only has two laser cannons total, on the top two wingtips. That may be due to the fragility of the model kit parts used to create the cannons, as publicity photos taken around the time of Return of the Jedi show the miniatures with four wingtip cannons.