One of the biggest strengths of the Collective military is their ability to engage without giving their enemies the chance to strike back. While they often do this with lightning fast hit-and-run attacks, another method is hitting the enemy from beyond their own effective striking range. The IFX is built for just such a purpose.
One of the fastest starcraft ever built, the IFX has a maximum acceleration of 1,019 G’s. Its nearly unmatchable speed allows it to easily outrun enemy fighters, keeping out of their weapons range indefinitely. In order to capitalize on the massive distance it can maintain, the IFX lacks normal fighter weaponry. It is armed with two long range photon turrets, operated by a pair of gunners. Long range density sensors allow the guns to accurately engage and destroy small, maneuverable targets at 700,000 kilometers.
Being a dedicated interceptor, the IFX is not designed for close range combat, and will be very outmatched in a traditional dogfight. They lack heavy armor and shields, and the large, bulky craft has poor maneuverability. The best option for ambushed interceptor pilots is usually just to outrun their attackers, and try to destroy them at range. Because of this, IFXs always fly with fighter escorts.
IFXs act as the primary defensive line in Collective fleets, able to engage enemy fighters and missiles much farther out then the particle turrets on board capital ships.