Interceptor
The Interceptor (most likely a modified F-22 Raptor, although our sources inside X-Com neither confirm nor deny this) is the best combat aircraft that Earth technology can offer. Powered by dual pulse detonation engines, and with specially shielded electronic systems, the Interceptor is one of X-COM's most valuable assets in the fight against the alien threat.
Even after the X-COM R&D departments created the blueprints for the Firestorm as a replacement for the Interceptor, many Commanders still keep one or two Interceptors on their roster due to the increased range that the Interceptor offers. The main drawback of the Interceptor is that it is lightly armoured in comparison to X-COM craft based around alien technology. However, with the right weaponry mounted to it it can deal with the vast majority of UFO incursions.
General Information
While airborne, the Interceptor consumes fuel at the rate of 21 units (2.1%) every ten minutes, at top speed. This gives the Interceptor a maximum (radial) range of 8,050 nautical miles, while being airborne for 3h, 50m. Its maximum (distance) range would be 16,450 nautical miles, for a total fly time of 7h, 50m. While patrolling in an area, fuel consumption is cut to 10 units every 10 minutes, allowing for a maximum stantionary patrol time of 16h, 40m.
After a flight, X-COM base facilities will refuel your Interceptor at a rate of 5% every half hour, on the half hour. Thus, it can take 10 hours to refuel a craft on empty. If weapons have been fired (or you are mounting new weapons), it will then take 3 hours to re-arm, regardless of how much ammo is needed. At the turn of the first hour after refuelling (measured by hour on the clock, straight up), your left weapon is replenished. Turn of second hour, right one is replenished. Turn of third hour: Craft drops out of REARMING status and is ready to fly. Note that even if your Interceptor has not fired (full ammo), it will still wait until the next hour (straight up) going through that last REARM phase after refuelling.
Note that the $600k cost for each Interceptor is actually a monthly rental, not a purchase price, so keeping a lot of these active will cut into your finances. This means that it is usually best not to order a new Interceptor towards the end of a month, as you will pay two monthly lease payments in quick succession. Fortunately the agency leasing them too you isnt too stingy to ask you to pay the monthly rent on an aircraft the havent delivered yet, so you can order them up to 71 hours before the end of a given month without paying out the extra. Unlike transferring employees however, you still pay the rental for Interceptors that are transferring between bases at the end of the month.
Vital Statistics
| Maximum Speed: | 2,100 |
| Acceleration: | 3 |
| Fuel Capacity: | 1,000 |
| Weapon Pods: | 2 |
| Damage Capacity: | 100 |
| Cargo Space: | None |
| HWP Capacity: | None |