interceptor

[ in-ter-sep-ter ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈsɛp tər /

a person or thing that intercepts.

Military. a fighter aircraft with fast-reaction capabilities, used to identify and, if appropriate, engage other aircraft in combat.

Origin of interceptor

1590–1600; < Latin, equivalent to intercep- (see intercept) + -tor -tor

The interceptor is still under development and has yet to undergo a flight intercept test.

Why Iron Dome Can't Be Scaled-Up |Kingston Reif |November 29, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
If he failed to launch an interceptor at a track that turned out to be hostile, it meant the death of an American city.

Pushbutton War |Joseph P. Martino
Only the previous week, at a station down the line, an interceptor had been launched at an unannounced satellite.

Pushbutton War |Joseph P. Martino
In theory, one interceptor could handle a missile all by itself.

Pushbutton War |Joseph P. Martino

The interceptor missiles had to detect it, swing to intercept, to accelerate furiously.

Talents, Incorporated |William Fitzgerald Jenkins
So far, five of them have been hit by interceptor rockets, but we don't have them all by a long shot.

Instant of Decision |Gordon Randall Garrett

interceptor

/ (ˌɪntəˈsɛptə) /

a person or thing that intercepts

a fast highly manoeuvrable fighter aircraft used to intercept enemy aircraft