Lambda-class T-4a shuttle

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Lambda-class T-4a shuttle

TheLambda-class T-4a shuttle, also known as theLambda-class shuttle,Imperial Lambda,Imperial Transport or theImperial Shuttle, was a multi-purposetransport with a trihedral foil design used by theGalactic Empire, and was considered an elegant departure from the standards of brutish Imperial engineering. Theshuttles were often used by dignitaries and high-rankingofficers, but were more commonly found ferryingstormtroopers or cargo.

SomeLambda-class shuttles were retained in service by bothNew Republic and remainingImperial remnants during theNew Republic Era, being used primarily to transportprisoners.

Description[]

Ahyperdrive-equipped multi-purposetransport, theLambda-class T-4ashuttle was developed bySienar Fleet Systems for use in theImperial Navy.^[1] Measuring 20meters in length, theLambda-class could attain a max speed of 850kph, and was one of the more commonImperialships found throughoutthe galaxy—along with its nearly-identical counterpart, theSentinel-class landing craft. It had three wings: one tall, dorsalstabilizer that remained stationary, and two lower articulated flanking wings. While in flight, the wings folded outwards for greater stabilization, while during landing procedures the wings folded inward, reducing the vessel's silhouette. This triangular shape was considered elegant and a departure from the Empire's usually crude designs.^[5]

AlthoughLambda-class craft could be flown by a singlepilot, the presence of a copilot/navigator made it much easier, especially when traveling throughhyperspace.^[12] Additionally, in order to prove that the shuttle crew was working for the Empire,Lambda-class T-4a shuttles utilized special transponders to transmit secret codes toStar Destroyers.^[7] Through a switch in the cockpit, the cockpit could detach as an emergencyescape pod.^[11]

Despite the elegance of theLambda-class's outer design, the inside of many shuttles often reeked of stale sweat owing to the numerous perspiringstormtroopers they hauled across thegalaxy. Moreover, boredtroopers were known to scratch theiroperating numbers on every available surface.^[17] A well-armed vessel, theLambda-class T-4a shuttle was equipped with two forward-facing doublelaser cannons, two forward-facing wing-mounted doublecannons, and a retractable rear-mounted doublelaser cannon.^[7]

History[]

Imperial Era[]

The ImperialLambda-class shuttle was the conceptual and engineering offspring of theNu-class transport, a versatile craft that saw use during theClone Wars.^[18] Even the top members of the Empire's hierarchy, includingEmperorPalpatine himself and hisSith apprenticeDarth Vader, traveled in their own privateLambda-class T-4a shuttles;^[5][13] with theEmperor's shuttle distinguished by a gray stripe on its nose.^[19]GovernorWilhuff Tarkin and hisdeath trooperguard arrived atLanding Pad 13 of theImperial security complex on the planetScarif aboard a Lambda.^[20]

To escape theDS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station andreveal its existence, undercoverCrimson DawnagentsJon Melton andBevelyn killedImperial Security BureauMajorSharin and stole herLambda-class shuttle^[21]Scopium. Although they were soon chased byTIE/IN interceptors, they escaped to a location the Empire would not expect, the Imperial capital ofCoruscant, and abandoned the ship.^[11] During theBattle of Jakku,Lambda-class shuttles acted as evacuation shuttles from downed Imperial vessels, as well astroop transports to deliverImperial ground forces to firefights across the surface.^[22] During the battle,New RepublicpilotNorra Wexley and former ImperialGrand AdmiralRae Sloane used aLambda-class shuttle while tracking downGallius Rax.^[23]

New Republic Era[]

During theNew Republic Era, the shuttle would see use by the New Republic^[15] andGideon's Imperial remnant, which usedShuttle 2743.DoctorPenn Pershing was traveling on it when it was raided byDin Djarin and his allies to capture the doctor. They then used it to crash aboardGideon's light cruiser. AfterMoffGideon was captured^[24] for theNew Republic Tribunal,^[25] he was transported aboard a Lambda by theNew Republic officers, but heescaped.^[15]

Decades later, the Empire's successor state, theFirst Order borrowed design philosophies exuded from theLambda-class T-4a shuttle into their newerXi-class light shuttle^[26] andUpsilon-class command shuttle.^[27]

Behind the scenes[]

The shuttles first appeared in the1983 filmStar Wars: Episode VIReturn of the Jedi.^[13] In the1997Special Edition rerelease, aLambda-class shuttle was added to theStar Wars: Episode VThe Empire Strikes Back.^[28]

The shuttle's classification comes from the Greek letter Lambda (uppercaseΛ, lowercaseλ), whose lowercase form resembles the ship in flight mode. TheLambda-class shuttle's name began a trend of naming shuttles after Greek letters, even if the particular letter's shape does not necessarily resemble the ship in question. This continued toRevenge of the Sith with the inclusion of theTheta-class T-2c shuttle, and laterStar Wars Legends works. The trend was brought intoCanon with the introduction of theBeta,Gamma,Delta,Zeta,Eta,Mu,Nu,Xi,Omicron,Rho, andUpsilon-class shuttles, some of which were inspired by Legends counterparts.

Appearances[]

Non-canon appearances[]

• "Battle for the Galaxy!" —LEGO Club Magazine July/August 2015
• Disney Infinity 3.0
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "The Kyber Saber Crystal Chase"
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Return of the Kyber Saber"
• Fortnite
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "A Perilous Rescue"
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Free Fall"
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Return of the Return of the Jedi"
• Fortnite Battle Royale
• "Far Too Remote" —From a Certain Point of View(andaudiobook)
• "The Shuttle Operation" —LEGO Star Wars 33
• LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Trick-or-Treat"
• "Message of Chaos" —LEGO Star Wars 76
• "The Ghost of Good" —LEGO Star Wars 77
• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
• LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Twas the Night Before Life Day"
• "The Special Suits" —LEGO Star Wars 111
• "The GreatestApprentice Assistant" —LEGO Star Wars 126

Sources[]

Notes and references[]