Star Wars: The Prize Fighter of the Empire – TIE Interceptor Breakdown
There’s stiff competition among the galaxy’s Starfighters–but the TIE/IN Interceptor is tops. Is it the deadliest fighter in Star Wars?
These ships can be seen cutting through the many battles of the Galactic Civil War like a dagger. The TIE/IN Interceptor is perhaps the deadliest Starfighter in the Imperial arsenal. Of course, you’d be hard-pressed to compete with the technological terror that is the Death Star. Still, the TIE Interceptor gave the Empire the speed and firepower it needed to clip the wings of the Rebellion’s air/space superiority.
The Creation of the TIE Interceptor
The TIE/IN Interceptor is a testament to the Empire’s philosophy. It wasn’t long after their initial battles with the Rebel Alliance and confrontations with the Rebellion’s vaunted X-Wing that the Empire recognized the need for faster and deadlier starfighters. To combat this advantage, the Empire developed several prototypes, including the TIE Advanced, the bent-wing craft piloted by Darth Vader himself in the Battle of Yavin.
However, the TIE Advanced was ultimately too costly to be mass-produced and distributed throughout the Empire. What with its onboard hyperdrive, built-in life support, and powerful shield generators? Though its top performance meant saving pilots’ lives, the Empire was very much about protecting its bottom line.
TIE Specs
When Sienar Fleet Systems realized that the TIE Advanced was too costly for mass production, they developed the Interceptor instead. A faster and far deadlier opponent than the standard TIE fighter, the TIE/IN Interceptor cuts out luxuries. The ship had no hyperdrive and shields, replacing them with more speed and firepower.
A pair of SFS P-s5.6 twin ion engines and an Autothruster gave the TIE Interceptor a top speed of 1,250 kph. It’s exceeded only by the A-Wing (and then only by 50 kph). Its upgraded engines allowed for considerably more maneuverability and speed. The TIE Interceptor can outperform even the most experienced pilots.
This alone would make it a threat. But what makes the Interceptor especially deadly is the firepower it packs onto its speedy frame. It boasts four L-s9.3 laser cannons mounted in its wingtips and two more “chin-mounted”. A TIE Interceptor that gets behind a vulnerable target can pierce shield and armor alike with devastating ease.
Even after the fall of the Empire, Interceptors were used during the Cold War between the First Order and the Resistance. However, the older models were relegated to “aggressive recon.” The TIE/IN has left a mark on galactic history.
May the Force be with you!
