Orbital bombardment

"We have their location. Shall we commence orbital bombardment?''" "''No, prepare for ground assault."

- Admiral Konstantine to Agent Kallus

Orbital bombardment (otherwise known as an "orbital strike") was a military strategy, where huge star cruisers (like Star Destroyers) would fire their main cannons to the surface of a planet, causing heavy damage to the enemy. This strategy was used mostly to wipe targets that were in close proximity, like regular ground troops, or was used to easily deal with large heavy targets. However, if the target was moving, the bombardment would be less accurate.

History
Orbital bombardment was a common tactic among the Galactic Empire. During the Lothal insurgency, when Agent Kallus found the Ghost crew on the planet Seelos, Admiral Kassius Konstantine proposed to kill all the rebels with an orbital strike. Kallus however preferred to operate a ground attack, using All Terrain Armored Transports.

Later during the Galactic Civil War both Rebels and Imperials ordered orbital strikes against each other forces on planets like Hoth, Tatooine, Sullust, Endor and Jakku.

Battle of Hoth
"What is it, General?''" "My Lord, the fleet has moved out of lightspeed. Com-Scan has detected an energy field protecting an area of the sixth planet of the Hoth system. The field is strong enough to deflect any bombardment." "The Rebels are alerted to our presence. Admiral Ozzel came out of lightspeed too close to the system." "He felt surprise was wiser—" "He is as clumsy as he is stupid. General, prepare your troops for a surface attack." "''Yes, my Lord."

- General Veers reports to Darth Vader

This tactic should have been used during the Battle of Hoth by Imperial Navy. General Maximilian Veers had planned to surprise attack the Rebel Alliance by jumping in to the Hoth system from hyperspace secretly and destroying the base via orbital bombardment, but failed to do so when Admiral Kendal Ozzel jumped too close to the system. This alerted the Rebels, who in return activated their shield generator, causing the anger of Lord Vader who blamed Ozzel for stupidity and Force choked him. Afterwards he promoted Firmus Piett to the rank of Amiral. Due to the failed attempt of bombing the rebel base, Imperials landed AT-ATs, At-STs and other ground troops to take care of the shield generator from inside it.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Galactic Defense
 * Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars Battlefront
 * Star Wars Battlefront