TIE interceptor

Interceptor · Galactic Empire

TIE interceptor

The Empire's answer to faster Rebel fighters: a dagger-winged TIE with a laser cannon on every wingtip.

Model
TIE/IN interceptor starfighter
Maker
Sienar Fleet Systems
Length
9.6 m
Crew
1 pilot
Shields
no
Armament
4 wingtip laser cannons

Galactic EmpireCompare on the scale

Overview

The TIE interceptor is the Empire's sharpest TIE. It keeps the single-seat pod of the standard fighter, but its wing panels are stretched forward into dagger shapes and slotted so they do not block the pilot's view, and each wingtip carries a laser cannon[3].

Sienar Fleet Systems designed it as a cheaper alternative to the TIE Advanced x1, one the Empire could build in large numbers, and began fielding it officially in 3 BBY to answer faster Rebel starfighters[4]. Like the standard TIE, it has no shields and no hyperdrive[9].

Interceptors swarm out of the second Death Star at the Battle of Endor[1]. They fly again over Lothal in Star Wars Rebels, where the ace Vult Skerris flies one with striking red markings[8], and in the Imperial remnant's squadron in The Mandalorian season 3[5].

Length 9.6 m

Side and top views to scale. For comparison: Human

How it flies and fights

The ship measures about 9.6 metres from nose to tail[1]. Its wings are bent and slotted so the pilot can see through them, and four laser cannons sit on the wingtips, spread wide of the cockpit pod[3].

It was meant to be built in numbers, a mass-production alternative to the more expensive TIE Advanced x1[4]. The lone pilot flies without shields or a hyperdrive; only the Emperor's Royal Guard version adds both[9]. Its reputation is for speed, yet in Star Wars: Squadrons it still tops out about 50 km/h below the Rebel A-wing[6].

Who flew it

Chronicle

Key moments in the ship's life, in story order. Spoilers stay hidden until you mark the title as watched in the timeline.

  1. ≈ 14 BBY

    Prototype TIE/IN interceptors are already in the air. The design is meant as a cheaper alternative to the TIE Advanced x1, one that can be built in bulk[4].

  2. 3 BBY

    The Empire begins officially fielding the interceptor, a response to Rebel starfighters that outpace the standard TIE[4].

  3. ≈ 3 BBY

    Star Wars Rebels

    Flying his red-marked interceptor, Vult Skerris tries to shoot down the cadets Wedge Antilles and Hobbie Klivian as they defect with Sabine Wren. Sabine's friends come to their rescue[8].

  4. 4 ABY

    Episode VI — Return of the Jedi

    Interceptors pour out with TIE fighters and bombers to defend the second Death Star against the Rebel fleet[1].

  5. ≈ 9 ABY

    The Mandalorian — Season 3

    Moff Gideon's Imperial remnant puts a squadron of TIE/IN interceptors into the field in The Mandalorian season 3[5].

  6. ≈ 9 ABY

    The Mandalorian — Season 3

    Spoiler from The Mandalorian — Season 3Showyou've watched it

    Interceptors escort TIE bombers in the Imperial strike on the Kryze castle at Kalevala on Mandalore[5].

  7. —

    Star Wars Rebels

    In Star Wars Rebels interceptors are stationed at the Imperial airfield on Lothal, flying alongside standard TIE fighters[1].

Where it flew

Where to see the TIE interceptor

Films, series and games with the TIE interceptor, in story order.

Variants

Behind the scenes

  1. The interceptor was made for Return of the Jedi (1983) as a sleeker, scarier TIE. The wings were stretched forward and slotted so that they did not cut off the pilot's view, and ILM built models in two scales[3].
  2. Ben Burtt made the TIE scream by blending an elephant call with the sound of a car driving over wet pavement. Interceptors screech past with the same shriek as every other Imperial TIE[3].
  3. Its dagger wings later inspired the TIE Avenger shown in Andor season 2, and other angular Imperial designs such as Kylo Ren's TIE silencer[3].

Did you know

TIE interceptor: questions and answers

How big is a TIE interceptor?

A TIE interceptor is about 9.6 metres long, a little shorter than a city bus[1]. The standard TIE fighter is around 9 metres, so the two are close in length, but the interceptor's narrow dagger wings make it look slimmer[2].

Who flies the TIE interceptor?

Imperial starfighter pilots. Named users include the ace Vult Skerris, a Skystrike Academy instructor with a red-marked interceptor, and the squadron serving Moff Gideon's Imperial remnant in The Mandalorian season 3[8][5].

How is a TIE interceptor different from a TIE fighter?

Mainly in the wings. The interceptor's panels are stretched forward into dagger shapes and slotted so the pilot can see, with a laser cannon on each wingtip[3]. The Empire fielded it to answer faster Rebel starfighters[4].

Same fleet

Sources

  1. TIE Interceptor - StarWars.com Databank
  2. TIE Fighter - StarWars.com Databank
  3. TIE fighter - Wikipedia
  4. TIE/IN interceptor - Wookieepedia
  5. Gideon's TIE/IN interceptor squadron - Wookieepedia
  6. Star Wars Squadrons ships - Den of Geek
  7. TIE Interceptor - Star Wars: Squadrons StrategyWiki
  8. Vult Skerris — StarWars.com Databank
  9. Emperor's Royal Guard TIE — Wookieepedia
  10. TIE — Wookieepedia
  11. Unidentified crimson TIE — Wookieepedia