The TIE Interceptor is 10% faster than the TIE/ln (110MGLT), and has a 50% stronger hull. It still retains the command module of the TIE Fighter series, but with several improvements, including a new ion stream projection system, with nearly twice the range of manuvering. The solar panels are not as tall, but have been elongated, with cut-outs made in the wings for pilot visability. This "dagger" profile has the added advantage of being more intimidating. At tip of each "dag" is a laser cannon, giving the Interceptor fire-power comperable to the T65, and the improved fire control software amkes it just as accurate. The hardpoints found on the TIE Fighter series are still there, and could be fitted with additional weapons if a more powerful generator, or suplimental generators, ware installed.
The Interceptor has not corrected several of the Fighter's short commings. The first of these is a lack of ray and particle shielding. The latter of these is offset by the stronger than average hull, but it still is not a resitant to impact as most Rebel fighters. The second serious lack is the failure to install a repulsorlift generator and landing gear, meaning that they are still depend tractor beams and racks for hangering, approaches and landings, and can not reliably make field landings, engage in low-speed atmospheric flight or attempt to hover. Finally, there is still no life support facilities, meaning that a pilot is dependent on his life support equipment for warmth and atmosphere. There has been some question concerning the lack of a hyperdrive, but since the Navy's tactics maintain that fighters are to operate from surface bases, space stations or motherships, it is not a serious tactical deficete.
Introduced in it's final form just a few months after the Battle of Yavin, the Interceptor was a common sight within a year, and composed perhaps 20% of the combat TIEs in service by the time of the Battle of Endor. The basic design is highly versitile, and has been used to produce reconnisance and forward observer models, along with a series of "Heavies" which feature improved power generators, and served as the basis for the TIE Defender and Avenger. It is expected that when numbers are sufficent, designs based off of the TIE Interceptor will replace the deritives of the TIE Fighter in Imperial front-line service.
A small handful of the prototypes, designated the TIE Advanced x3, remain. They are idenical to the Interceptor, except that they mount the TIE/ln's weapons systems and do not have as powerful a generator. (Treat the same for game play, except fitted with 2 linked laser cannons (FC 2D, damage 5D).)
A number of these were made with the improved targeting systems and landing gear from the TIE Commando, but due to the extra power and bulk required for the sensors, the shield generators could not be installed.
A number of these were made with the improved targeting systems and landing gear from the TIE Commando, but due to the extra power and bulk required for the targeting systems, the shield generators could not be installed.
The Heavy A carries an additional pair of laser cannons in the chin mounts, improving the energy through put by 33% over the standerd TIE Interceptor. Heavy B's carry a pair of ion cannons, and are in demand for units supporting the Inquisitus, Intelligence and the ISB. Heavy C's are equipped with a pair of long range auto-blasters, which while they don't hit very hard, they have nearly two-thirds greater range over the regular laser cannons. Finally, there are the TIE Heavy Ds, which are not slower or less manuverable than the Interceptor, but carry a heavy shield generator. All Interceptor's under Grand Admiral Thrawn's command during his resurgence nine years after Endor were upgraded to this standard.
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TIE Interceptor
Quad Laser Cannons
TIE Commando
The TIE Commando is a limited production varient of the TIE Interceptor. Featuring marganally improved fire control, it has two very distinctive features. The first is an improved power generator, allowing a small ray shield generator to be mounted into the hardpoints left by the origional laser cannons of the TIE/ln. The other, and perhaps most radical of all, is the inclusion of conventional landing skids and a repulsor generator. These have been installed to allow the TIE Commando to live up to it's name, and to give it a greater selection of landing areas to choose from. This allows select special operations pilots to operate on the ground. It also makes it easier to land damaged TIEs on a planetary body. This feature is being evaluated for possible inclusion on furture production runs of all TIE models.
model: TIE Commando
Quad Laser Cannon
TIE Recon Interceptor
Introduced shortly after the TIE Interceptor, the Interceptor/rc is intended to replace the TIE/rc and TIE Vanguard in front line units. It did not enter full production until just a few days after the Battle of Hoth. It is simply an Interceptor fitted with the improved generator from the TIE Commando, an advanced sensors package and an upgraded hull. For wings that could get them, if the wing leader also commanded the Interceptor squadron (as is usually the case), it was not uncommon for him to requisition one for his personal fighter. It is interesting to note that Empire decided not to simply replace all the Interceptors with the Recon variant, as it is a simple matter to replace the sensors module, and a good tech team could add the extra hull plating in a few days.
model: Sienar Fleet Systems TIE Interceptor/rc
TIE Interceptor Scout
Introduced shortly after the TIE Interceptor, the Interceptor/fc is intended to replace the TIE/fc in front line units. It did not enter full production until just a few days after the Battle of Hoth. It is
fitted with the secure communications and target designation packageof it's parent, but at the cost of some manueverabilyty and half the weapons systems. For those expecting the lasers to be mounted on the wing tips, they are in for a sorry suprise. They have been moved back to the origional cockpit mounting, with the four hardpoints on the wing tips being replaced with sensing equipment and imaging cameras. They often fly in tandem with TIE Interceptor/rc's, making a powerful unit. This "hunter element" is usuaully escorted by TIE Interceptors, but if only TIE/ln's are available, the escort usually stays home, so as not to slow down the scouts
model: Sienar Fleet Systems TIE Interceptor/fc
TIE Heavies
The TIE Heavy series is a number of TIE Interceptor varients fitted with more powerful power generators. In most models, this improved energy output is funneled to improved weapons systems. The heavier guns come at a mior reduction to manuverability, placing the Heavies in the same class of dancers as the T65B, and some loss of speed. There are four major varients, simply designated "Heavy Aurek", "Heavy Besh", "Heavy Cresh" and "Heavy Dorn". In addition to these, there were a number of other models produced in small, squadron- or wing-sized lots, and are rarely encountered. The Heavies are often found in elite units or in the hands of squadron and wing leaders, where the heavier fire-power is put to good use.
model: Sienar Fleet Systems TIE Heavy-series
Six Laser Cannons (fire-linked)
Four Laser Cannons (fire-linked)
Four Laser Cannons (fire-linked)
TIE Demon
The TIE Demon, while technically a member of the TIE Heavy family, is considered seperately for a very improtant reason. Instead of weapons or shields, the extra power is diverted to the engines, making it one of the fastest and most nimble craft ever made. To get the most speed out of the system, it even reverted to the weapons system of the older TIE/ln. It was origionally intended to serve as a technology demonstration and evaluation craft for the TIE Defender and Avenger programs, but was placed into special production to counter the Rebel A-Wing and as a stop-gap "Super Interceptor" for wings that have completely swapped over to the Interceptor series from the older TIE Fighter series. While it is not the easiest TIE to handle, it in demand, mainly becuase recieving an assignment to a Demon is a sign of a pilot's personal ability and rank (not to mention "manliness").
model: Seinar Fleet Systems TIE Demon
TIE Interceptor/Ground Targetting
The Interceptor/gt was intendended by the engineers at Sienar as a light strike fighter, faster than either the TIE/gt or the TIE Bomber, yet having less weaponary than the bomber. Sienar built the origional as a technology evaluator, but the project was dropped as the TIE Bomber's profile is that it always escorted by fighters, limiting the Navy's need for a relatively high-speed attack bomber. Not widely encountered, it is mainance heavy. Still, it does parallel the T65 rather nicely with the heavy missle weapon, and gives the handful of wings that have them a faster option than the TIE Bomber.
model: Seinar Fleet Systems TIE Interceptor/gt
Back to the HangerThe TIE Intercpetor is copyright Lucas Films Limited. The stats are copyright West End Games, and are included here for purposes of refrence only. All other craft depicted here are homebrewed.