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Interdictor

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"EMPIRE HAS ORDERED A SYSTEMWIDE BLOCKADE TO SEIZE REBEL SPIES. INTERDICTOR CRUISERS EN ROUTE. ALL SHIPS THAT DEPART PRIOR TO IMPERIAL INSPECTION WILL BE NOTED."

―Message fromR2-D2^[1]

The Interdictor—an Interdictor-class heavy cruiser — TheInterdictor—anInterdictor-class heavy cruiser

Aninterdictor, also calledinterdictor vessels orinterdictor ships, was the term for a type ofstarship employed by theGalactic Empire with thetechnology to generate agravity well, which had the capability to pull vessels out ofhyperspace as well as preventing them from entering it. Interdictor vessels could be from various starship classes, ranging fromfrigates toStar Destroyers.

Characteristics[]

Design[]

An Interdictor-class, characterized by its four spherical gravity well projectors. — AnInterdictor-class, characterized by its four spherical gravity well projectors.

An Interdictor vessel, or simply an Interdictor,^[2] was a type ofwarship that was capable of of blockingstarships from enteringhyperspace, or pulling them back intorealspace usinggravity well projectors that created artificial mass shadows.^[3] Gravity well projectors were circular in shape, with multiple Interdictor models being equipped with four projectors.^[4] There were also multiple models of Interdictors within different starship classifications,^[2] includingStar Destroyer,^[5]heavy cruiser,^[6]cruiser,^[1] andfrigate.^[2]

Models[]

One of the earlier Interdictor models during theImperial Era was theDetainer CC-2200 cruiser, which was characterized by stubbed wing-ling lateral projections that housed four gravity well projectors. It was also designed with thickarmor and a down-sloping bow andsublight engines. TheCC-7700 frigate shared these characteristics, but was an updated version of the older CC-2200.^[2] TheImmobilizer 418 cruiser was 600meters in length,^[7] and was equipped with four spherical gravity well projectors on its hull.^[2] It also carried a complement of twenty-fourTIE fighter series craft^[1] and was armed with twentylaser cannons.^[7] At the time of the Immobilizer's introduction, it was plagued with multiple technical issues despite its design being state-of-the-art.^[2]

An Interdictor-class heavy cruiser. — AnInterdictor-class heavy cruiser.

TheInterdictor-class heavy cruiser^[6] was an evolution of the Immobilizer,^[8] and had a delta wing-shaped design with four spherical gravity well projectors on its hull.^[9] These projectors were vulnerable, with their destruction being capable of compromising the entire vessel.^[10] Eventually, both the Immobilizer andInterdictor-class cruiser were phased out of manufacturing and replaced by theInterdictor-class Star Destroyer. Derived from the standardImperial-class Star Destroyer, it measured at 1,600 meters in length^[5] and was considered better protected.^[1]

Role[]

Interdictor vessels were deployed to generate interdiction fields to pull enemy ships out of hyperspace or prevent them from entering it to begin with. With these capabilities, Interdictors blockaded worlds, investigated suspicioushyperspace routes, and could form part of smallbattle groups^[6] ortask forces^[2] to support heavier lines ofcapital ships while working withfrigates andstarfighters.^[6] Interdictors were placed in key locations along their patrol routes and capture ships from hyperspace to board them for inspection as well.^[5] Interdictors could also act with an escort, but in times of desperation could operate without one.^[1]

History[]

Berch Teller campaign[]

Interdictors supported a task force led by the Executrix (pictured). — Interdictors supported a task force led by theExecutrix (pictured).

For hundreds ofyears the technology of gravity well projectors required a large, immobile power source. As such, Interdictor vessels could not be developed. During this period of time, gravity well technology was chiefly used to prevent travel near vital installations. However, this changed from research conducted during theClone Wars, which led to more efficient projectors, and Imperial field tests with gravity well projectors mounted onto a space going vessel.^[3] Following the Clone Wars and into theImperial Era, Interdictor vessels were used by theImperial Navy to control hyperspace traffic, although the technology remained limited.^[2] By14 BBY,^[11] during theBerch Teller campaign, ImperialVice Admiral Dodd Rancit suggested using Interdictors to pull the hijacked personal vessel ofMoff Wilhuff Tarkin, theCarrion Spike. Thetask force used a trio of Interdictor vessels, including an olderDetainer CC-2200 cruiser, a newerCC-7700 frigate, and a newly developed and untestedImmobilizer 418 cruiser, which was developed for theDeep Core Security Zone.^[2]

Thetask force activated their Interdictor vessels to capture theCarrion Spikecorvette in theObroa-skai system, however the Interdictors failed and created anincident in which multiple civilian craft were pulled out of hyperspace, resulting in civilian casualties. The Immobilizer was dispatched back to theCorellian Engineering Corporation to correct its operational issues.^[2]

A new cruiser[]

Interdictor-class cruisers were an evolution of the Immobilizer 418s. — *Interdictor*-class cruisers were an evolution of the Immobilizer 418s.

By4 BBY,^[12] a prototypeInterdictor-class heavy cruiser, theInterdictor, was active in theDel Zennis system under the command ofAdmiral Brom Titus as it underwent examination.^[9] TheInterdictor-class cruiser was an evolution of the Immobilizer 418 cruiser, and part of theInterdictor line^[8] which included a combat refit, a suppression refit, and an experimental refit. TheInterdictor operated alongside two other Interdictor cruisers, pulling aCR90 corvette out of hyperspace.^[13] TheInterdictor eventually captured the rebel corvetteLiberator and its crew, includingCommander Jun Sato andEzra Bridger. During arescue attempt by otherPhoenix Cell members, theInterdictor and its escortingArquitens-class command cruisers were destroyed.^[9]

During theLothal campaign's culmination with theBattle of Atollon^[10] in2 BBY,^[14]Grand Admiral Thrawn deployed twoInterdictor-class cruisers along sixImperial-class Star Destroyers of the7th Fleet to captureRebel Alliance leadership and destroy Phoenix Cell andMassassi Group.One Interdictor was commanded byAdmiral Kassius Konstantine, but was destroyed when Commander Sato sacrificed himself and hisflagship, theQuasar Fire-class cruiser-carrierPhoenix Nest, by ramming the Interdictor. This created an opening for a rebel ship flown byEzra Bridger to escape and warn others. The other cruiser, theConstrainer, was destroyed when rebelMandalorian reinforcements arrived from behind the 7th Fleet's formation, ambushing theConstrainer and destroying it withrockets. With both Interdictors destroyed, the surviving rebel forces managed to escape the 7th Fleet'sblockade ofAtollon.^[10]Years prior to theBattle of Yavin in0 BBY,^[15]Lando Calrissian andL3-37 wereambushed in theHalthor sector by an Imperial interdictor as they delivered a shipment ofAll Terrain Defense Turret walkers. The ambush resulted in Calrissian and L3 losing the entirety of the cargo.^[16]

Service during the Civil War[]

Interdictor-class cruisers participated in multiple engagements of the Galactic Civil War — *Interdictor*-class cruisers participated in multiple engagements of the Galactic Civil War

By1 BBY,^[17] theInterdictor-class Star Destroyer, a variant of theImperial-class Star Destroyer,^[5] was developed and in service to theImperial Navy. One Interdictor Star Destroyer was commanded by AdmiralGable Karius aboveMustafar, capturing thesmuggling shipWindfall.^[18]

By0 ABY,^[19] the Immobilizer 418 was no longer manufactured by the Empire due to its vulnerabilities, favoring to place the gravity well projectors on Star Destroyers instead as they were more difficult to destroy.^[1] Additionally, the Empire also cancelled production of theInterdictor-class heavy cruiser, as they proved an easy target for rebels and again favored to place the projectors within Star Destroyers.^[8] Despite this, Immobilizer 418 cruisers continued to be in service throughoutthe galaxy due to their abundance. One Immobilizer managed to pullLuke Skywalker out of hyperspace into theDaalang system after he managed to free a high-priority asset from the Imperial cause. However due to the ships frequent use against Alliance raiding groups, Luke Skywalker was able to form an attack strategy against the ship, ultimately destroying the vessel by splitting it in half with aUtheel Rockcrusher Compact Seismic Charge.^[1]

Crimson Dawn attacks an Interdictor-class Star Destroyer. — Crimson Dawn attacks anInterdictor-class Star Destroyer.

In3 ABY,^[14]Hunter Fleet's secondary strike force utilized an Interdictor during abattle near Malastare against theEighth Division of theAlliance Navy.^[20] Following theSyndicate War and other actions byCrimson Dawn, an Interdictor Star Destroyer was attacked by the Crimson Dawn flagshipVermillion.^[21] In4 ABY,^[14] Interdictors formed the Imperial forces during theBattle of Endor. The Imperial ships hid behindEndor and moved into position to block an immediate escape while the fleet's Interdictors activated their generators to fully trap the Alliance fleet. Alliance starfighters outflanked the Imperial fleet and attacked the Interdictors and Imperial communications, and theDS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station was eventually destroyed. As a result of the defeat, the surviving Imperial forces retreated.^[3]

The Spectral withdrew to Jakku, only to shortly be destroyed. — TheSpectral withdrew to Jakku, only to shortly be destroyed.

In5 ABY,^[15] theInterdictor-class cruiserSpectral participated in theBattle of Fondor Shipyards against theNew Republic, and soon retreated toJakku. In transit, one of its projectors was damaged by a Republic starfighter that managed to track the cruiser through hyperspace. Once in Jakku's orbit, the starfighter was brought in and the ship sabotaged, resulting in it crashing to Jakku's surface. Within moments, theNew Republic Defense Fleet appeared^[22] and commenced theBattle of Jakku against the royalist Imperial forces, consisting of at least three naval battle groups.^[23] The ImmobilizerGlaciate participated in the battle, during which it was infiltrated and captured by theNew Republic operatives acting onGeneral Carlist Rieekan's orders. The battle resulted in the end of theGalactic Civil War and the final collapse of the Galactic Empire.^[7] Many years later, scavengers fromNiima Outpost sought to travel within the wreckage of theSpectral to plunder it.^[22]

Behind the scenes[]

Concept art of the Interdictor-class cruiser in Star Wars Rebels. — Concept art of theInterdictor-class cruiser inStar Wars Rebels.

The concept of the Galactic Empire disabling vessels' hyperspace capabilities using Interdictor vessels first appeared in theStar Wars: The Roleplaying Game 1989 supplementImperial Sourcebook and later used inHeir to the Empire, a1991 novel byTimothy Zahn that was the first in atrilogy featuring events set several years after the conclusion of the final film of theoriginal trilogy.^[24] While this trilogy is now considered part of the franchise known asStar Wars Legends and no longercanon,^[25] Interdictor vessels were featured in novels such asTarkin andHeir to the Jedi, which are considered part of a new continuity of canon.^[26]