X-301 Interceptor

X-301 Interceptor
Production information
Manufacturer	Goa'uld / Tau'ri
Class	Multi-role Attack Fighter/Starfighter
Technical specifications
Length	22 meters
Width	55 meters (curved wingspan)
Height/Depth	4.5 meters
Maximum speed	~1,000,000 Miles/Hour
Engine unit(s)	Death Glider Propulsion system
Hyperdrive system	None
Shielding	None
Targeting systems	WGU-16/B guidance system
Armament	2 AIM 120A air-to-air missiles
Crew	2
Minimum crew	1
Passengers	None
Other systems	Recall device
Usage
Role(s)	Multi-role Attack Fighter
Year introduced	2000
Affiliation	Tau'ri

"It's a hybrid craft, sir, made with a combination of good ol' American know-how, and two Goa'uld Death Gliders that SG-1 recovered a couple of years ago."

―Major Paul Davis to Lieutenant General Maurice Vidrine

The X-301 Interceptor was the Tau'ri's first attempt at developing a space-based combat vessel capable of engaging the Goa'uld. It was constructed from two Goa'uld Death Gliders obtained during the Goa'uld System Lord Apophis's failed attack on Earth. The craft was modified by technicians at Area 51 and equipped with an Earth-based fire control system and arsenal, while leaving its Goa'uld propulsion system intact. (SG1: "Tangent")

Features and weapons

The craft was designed for two pilots, and its unique technology didn't exert force against gravity so much as take inertia out of the equation, thus virtually eliminating the effect of G-forces. Intended as a platform from which to launch an attack against a Ha'tak, the X-301 was equipped with stealth technology and two AIM 120A air-to-air missiles that could be armed with naquadah-enhanced warheads and modified with a shield-frequency modulator. (SG1: "Tangent")

History

File:X301.jpg

The X-301 leaving Earth's atmosphere and heading into space.

Although initial trials proved successful, during a live-fire test flight, the Interceptor with both Colonel Jack O'Neill and Teal'c of Chulak unexpectedly veered off course and headed straight into space. It was later revealed that this had been triggered by a recall device that the Goa'uld System Lord and Teal'c's former Master, Apophis had installed with the intention of punishing any disloyalty. This also rendered the craft unusable, stranding O'Neill and Teal'c in deep space until they were ultimately saved by their teammates, Major Samantha Carter and Dr. Daniel Jackson with the assistance of Sam's father, Jacob Carter who was also a host to the Tok'ra symbiote, Selmak. (SG1: "Tangent")

The X-301's fate following their recovery is unknown, though the Tau'ri would not have possessed the ability to retrieve it themselves until the launch of the Prometheus two years later. However it would have been possible for the Tok'ra to tow the vessel to Earth. In any case, the idea of creating a working vehicle by modifying alien spacecraft was later abandoned in favor of entirely Earth-built vehicles such as the X-302 hyperspace fighter.

During the mission to Asdad to retrieve the power core of anti-gravity shield, Major Samantha Carter used her knowledge of the X-301's design to locate the switch that would allow her to detach a Death Glider's staff cannon to use as a weapon in battle. While she had trouble at first, she eventually succeeded in remembering where the switch was and used it to detach the cannon. (SG1: "A Matter of Honor")

External Links

• X-301 in Kathleen Ritter's Lexicon.
• GateWorld's article on X-301 in The Stargate Omnipedia
• X-301 article on Stargate SG-1 Solutions' The StargateWiki