Lambda-class T-4a shuttle/Legends

Lambda-class shuttle

The Lambda-class shuttle was a standard light utility craft in common use throughout the Imperial military.

It was designed by former Cygnus Spaceworks employees who were lured away by Sienar Fleet Systems. Although these shuttles were primarily manufactured by Sienar, Cygnus was subcontracted to build a more heavily armed military version. It was the immediate successor of the Theta-class shuttle, and was first introduced in 19 BBY at some point after the Imperial subjugation of Kashyyyk.

It was reasonably well-armed, with three double blaster cannons (one rear-mounted), and two double laser cannons. The military version built by Cygnus Space works was armed with ten laser cannons.

The Lambda-class shuttle was used along with the TIE shuttle to transport officers between ships in a fleet. Lower ranking officers usually used the TIE shuttle, while the larger Lambda-class shuttles were reserved for flag officers.

The Lambda-class shuttle Tydirium was captured by the Rebel Alliance and used to insert a strike team on the forest moon of Endor. In addition to this, the Alliance maintained a fleet of Lambda-class shuttles as support ships, with the Alliance logo painted on the central wing.

Emperor Palpatine´s Lambda-class shuttle
Emperor Palpatine's personal shuttle looked similar to the stock Lambda-class shuttle, but it was rumored to be equipped with a cloaking device for added protection, as well as more advanced communications equipment.

Behind the scenes
Shuttles were erroneously and mistakenly referred to as "Tyderian class" in some sources, a misunderstanding originating from the shuttle Tyderium.

The name Lambda comes from the Greek letter whose lowercase form resembles the general arrangement of the shuttle's wings. The designation of this shuttle type as Lambda-class dates back to the novelization of Return of the Jedi (1983), and was picked up by contributors to West End Games when that company began writing material about the shuttle.

The Sienar/Cygnus connection has occasionally been a source of confusion, but the Starwars.com Databank indicates that the Lambda's predecessor was built by Cygnus and the designers of that shuttle were lured away by Sienar, who then built the original Lambda shuttles. Cygnus then built the Lambda under license from Sienar. Sienar and Cygnus also cooperated on the Sentinel-class Landing Craft, a derivative design.

Another derivative design known as the Delta-class JV-7 escort shuttle was seen in the X-wing computer game series. The craft library of the game X-Wing Alliance describes it as a "militarized version of the Lambda-class Shuttle built under subcontract to Sienar," but little else is known about its design and manufacturing history.

Appearances

 * In His Image
 * Darth Vader: Extinction
 * Star Wars Empire: Betrayal (TPB)
 * Star Wars: X-wing
 * Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope (non-canon)
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
 * Star Wars Empire 14: The Savage Heart
 * Star Wars Empire 19: Target: Vader
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter
 * ''Star Wars: X-wing vs. TIE Fighter
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Three Against the Galaxy
 * Jedi Search
 * Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
 * Jedi Knight III: Jedi Academy
 * Darksaber
 * Star Wars: Empire at War