TIE Interceptor

The TIE Interceptor is one of the most feared fighters of the Galaxy. The newer model of Imperial TIE series of fighter was designed after the poor combat records of the early models (notably the TIE-Ln) against the newer Rebel snubfighters. After the appearance of the RZ-1 A-Wing as a front line fighter, the need of a faster and more armed starfighter was felt through the Imperial Navy. The analysis of the battle records pointed several weaknesses of the Imperial craft and all the data gathered helped to develop the one that would counter this threat, culminating with the birth of the TIE Interceptor. The newer features added to this model included: improved Twin Ion Engines, more efficient power plant, arrow shaped solar panels (giving the pilot a better lateral view compared to the TIE Fighter), improved fire power and a more advanced avionics and targeting computer system. Although lacking armor, the Interceptor relies on one more characteristic to avoid enemy fire other than it's speed: the greatly improved maneuverability, possible thanks to a complete redesign of the solar panel arrays. Unfortunately, this nice ship suffers from the ineffective Imperial doctrine of fighter use. This doctrine rules that a large number of cheap starfighters are preferable to a small amount of a more expensive and effective model, and thus the TIE Interceptor, like most of the Imperial crafts of it's size, lacks a Hyperdrive system, limiting it's operational use and range, and a Shield Generator, that added up to the light armor turn the Interceptor into a "one shot, one kill" victim. Those design flaws are the main reason for the "not as good as they should be" combat records of the ship. But the main issue on this fighter is the absence of the Hyperdrive generator, making imperative the use of "mother ships" to deploy those fighters where they're needed. This type of operational deployment of fighters is dangerous, once the mother ship is lost or heavily damaged, all it's fighter complement is also incapacitated or, at least, unable to retreat to hyperspace.