TIE / IN interceptor / Legends The TIE / IN starfighter , simply known as TIE Interceptor or T / I , 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 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 " breast " portion of the cockpit module . Provided that technicians could find room for additional power generators , these cannons could also be utilized . The Interceptors were also capable of supporting concussion warheads . Further upgrades , including hyperdrives , proton torpedo launchers , and advanced shielding made them equal to the Rebellion ' s X - wing starfighters . Their weapons were equipped with safeties . 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 . Interceptors assigned to Colonel Kell Bircher ' s elite squadron were also equipped with afterburners . 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 ( though shields and a small hyperdrive could be fitted as an upgrade , these were uncommon ) . 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 . After the Empire ' s disastrous loss of 286 TIE / LN starfighters to the Lightspeed Panthers during the Fei Hu campaign in 1 BBY , the Empire realized the superiority of the Incom T - 65 X - wing starfighters , and decided to create an interceptor model of the TIE series as a means to counter the X - wing , with development succeeding that same year . In large part because of the success , they were later utilized in campaigns such as Operation Strike Fear and Operation Skyhook . Interceptors however were also used in early Imperial conflicts , such as putting down Gizor Dellso ' s droid rebellion . Another factor in its development was to have the power of the TIE / Advanced starfighter but be more cost - effective , as the TIE / Advanced was too expensive to mass - produce . After the destruction of the first Death Star during the Battle of Yavin , the Empire , realizing quickly the growing threat of the Rebel Alliance , increased mass production of the TIE Interceptors , thus resulting in the TIE Interceptors becoming the new fighter force of the Empire after the battle . 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 . Two months following the defeat at Yavin , a squadron of Interceptors with concussion warhead mounts ambushed Rebel scouts . Upgraded versions with shields and hyperdrives under the command of Colonel Bircher ambushed three members of Gray Flight — Leia Organa , Wedge Antilles , and Tess Alder . Eleven of the Empire ' s starfighters were destroyed when the Gray Flight launched proton torpedoes at them . A member of Bircher ' s flight called for retreat , but the Colonel refused and gave the order for evasion pattern Delta Delta Victor . The Interceptors then broke off pursuit as their Star Destroyer prepared to fire . The Rebels escaped and the Imperials tracked them to their next rendezvous . Bircher once again led them into combat . More of his interceptors were destroyed by a Rebel trap , forcing Bircher to activate his craft ' s hyperdrive and go to rendezvous coordinates Beta One . Soon after , Bircher led the " Devastator " to the Rebel fleet . He ordered all of his fighters to launch and destroy the fleet , and two interceptors were commandeered by the Rebel agents Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles , who had infiltrated the ship . The pair activated their afterburners and crash - landed aboard the flagship " Home One " . Later , as the Rebels fought his fighters , he slaved external control to the cruiser and landed in Hangar Five . 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 " " , " " , , " " , " " ( though the Lego Star Wars games are non - canon ) , and " " , all of which take place before , during , or shortly after the Battle of Yavin . West End Games ' " The 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 " " , 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 the " " video game 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 .