Gamma-class assault shuttle

Gamma-class assault shuttle

Characteristics[]

In a standard operation, aGamma-class assault shuttle would pull up near an enemy ship and take hold of it with either itstractor beam orpower harpoon launcher. It would then launch its spacetroopers to seize control of the vessel, sometimes crippling the ship beforehand with a few well-placedturbolaser shots.^[1]

These ships were composed of three sections. The first section was the command crew cockpit, where a crew of five not only controlled the shuttle, but monitored its spacetroopers as well. The second section, the main body, was where the spacetroopers were carried. There were forty holding compartments for spacetrooper armor, enough for an entire platoon.^[1]

While being stored in the assault shuttle, the spacetroopers' power armor was constantly being recharged. Each compartment was equipped with a fold-away door, allowing the shuttle to quickly launch its troopers into space.^[1]

To protect its valuable cargo of elite spacetroopers, assault shuttles were very well shielded. Unlike most combat ships, which devoted 25% of their power toshields, the shields of aGamma-class assault shuttle took up a full 62% of its power, with over half of that directed to the ship's front arc. This allowed assault shuttles to withstand heavy damage as they pulled up near hostile ships.^[1]

Gamma-class assault shuttles were both atmosphere and space capable. They were equipped with Class 2hyperdrives (Class 18 backup). However, their capability forhyperspace travel was limited, because theirnav computers could only hold enough data for three jumps.^[1]

History[]

MostImperial-class Star Destroyers and other largewarships carried at least oneGamma-class assault shuttle as well as the corresponding spacetrooper platoon. Additional assault shuttles were given out as needed and available.^[1]

In1 BBY, aGamma-class assault shuttle pursued aRebelfreighter carrying stolen Imperialfuelslugs from the jungles ofOulanne to the space cityPellezara station in theDuro system. The seventeen-year-oldTarrin Datch took control of the fugitive Rebel ship, outmaneuvering the shuttle through heavy traffic until it could escape intohyperspace.^[5]

Behind the scenes[]

Gamma-class assault shuttles were first described in theWest End Games publicationImperial Sourcebook. A similar but distinct ship, theGamma-class ATR-6 assault transport, appeared in theX-wing series of computer games. At first, it was unclear whether the assault transport was intended to be the same thing as the assault shuttle, because the games were known to use alternate models and statistics for a number of ships. However, both the assault shuttle and assault transport appeared inStar Wars: X-Wing Alliance, proving that they were separate ships. Unlike the Gamma shuttle, the ATR-6 has not been seen in sources outside theX-wing games.

X-wing Alliance also depicts theGamma-class shuttle using anion cannon in a cutscene. It is not known if this is an error, or if this is a variant or retrofit.

The originalImperial Sourcebook did not give the ships any backup hyperdrives. The second edition of theImperial Sourcebook called the weapons on the assault shuttle "KT6 heavy blaster cannons" and gave the ships Class 18 backup hyperdrives.Starships of the Galaxy redesignated their guns into "turbolasers."

Appearances[]

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• "A Hunter's Fate: Greedo's Tale" —Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina
• A Hunter's Fate: Greedo's Tale onHyperspace(article) (content obsolete and backup link not available)
• The Abduction(reprinted inClassic Adventures)
• Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire audio drama(Mentioned only)
• "When the Desert Wind Turns: The Stormtrooper's Tale" —Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina
• "Showdown" —Star Wars Gamemaster Kit(reprinted inClassic Campaigns)
• Operation: Elrood
• Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance
• "Will the Last Person Leaving Vergesso Turn Off the Lights?" —Shadows of the Empire Planets Guide
• "Wildfire" — The Kathol Outback (Reprinted and collected inThe DarkStryder Campaign, Deluxe)
• "Endgame" — Endgame (Reprinted and collected inThe DarkStryder Campaign, Deluxe)
• Jedi Search(First appearance)
• Champions of the Force
• Darksaber

Sources[]

Notes and references[]