Executor - class Star Dreadnought / Legends The Executor " - class Star Dreadnought , colloquially known as the Executor " - class Super Star Destroyer , " Executor " - class Star Destroyer or simply Super Star Destroyer , was a heavy warship class in the Star Dreadnought league , often used as command ships and flagships in the Imperial Navy . At their prime , they were among the largest vessels in the galaxy , and were almost invincible in combat , although they were costly to operate . Characteristics . Like most KDY - style warships , the ship ' s overall shape was pointed , although unlike the " Imperial " - class , the " Executor " - class was closer to dagger - shaped . It also retains the KDY - style command bridge and possesses a massive cityscape on the top and , to a certain degree , at the aft . It ' s primary colors were dark gray and white for the main hull , and black for the cityscape sections , although the various lights aboard the vessel combined with operating in deep space environments at times give it a more cerulean appearance to its hull . Dimensions . The " Executor " - class measured 19 kilometers in length and was 100 times more massive than the ubiquitous " Imperial " - class Star Destroyer . 280 , 734 Imperial Navy officers , gunners and enlisted men were said to have crewed each vessel . In large part of this , the Rebel leader Mon Mothma , when learning of the amount of staff required to man such a vessel , admitted it would be virtually impossible to command it , even if they were to somehow capture it , due to there not being enough personnel on their end to do so . Though several variants of the " Executor " - class existed , all followed similar design - attributes in terms of structure . In terms of length , it was also tied with the " Vengeance " - class dreadnought as the largest ship class within Star Dreadnoughts or Super Star Destroyers . Propulsion systems . The " Executor " - class was built with one main reactor and an unknown number of secondary reactors . Thirteen Executor - 50 . x engine s placed in five thruster banks gave the " Executor " - class impressive acceleration for its size . The main reactor was accessible through various service tubes . Offensive and defensive systems . The " Executor " - class had over 5 , 000 weapons emplacements , including turbolasers , assault concussion missile launchers , and ion cannons . . With warships able to direct all power to their energy weapons , the " Executor " - class had at least 100 times more firepower than an " Imperial " - class destroyer . A majority of gun batteries and missile launchers were located in the central cityscape on the class ' s dorsal side , while some point - defense guns were located throughout the side - trenches . On at least one ship , many heavy batteries were sacrificed for an increased number of anti - starfighter cannons . Despite its impressive firepower , the design was far from perfect , as the ventral side and the aft were relatively undefended , and Executor - class SSDs required an impressive starfighter defensive screen to chase off enemy starfighters and marauding smaller capital ships who otherwise could remain in the main weaponry ' s blind spots . In addition , the " Executor " - class also possessed several trenches in its cityscape , which also left it vulnerable to the Trench Run Defense tactic should its shields be disabled . Such a weakness is what destroyed an in - development variant possessing cloaking abilities at Fondor , and is ultimately what destroyed the " Executor " at Endor . Its shields handled much of the power generated — an amount equivalent to the total power of a medium star ( 3 . 8 × 10 W ) . Shield - projectors were placed throughout the hull , which decentralized the protection system and decreased the chance of all shields falling at once . Known shield segments included the dorsal , ventral , bow , aft , port and starboard shields . In later - model ships , an extra shield generator was mounted in the middle of the ship . In addition to the shield generators , several " Executor " s had cloaking generators or stealth - armor fitted to the vessel , in order to perform sneak attacks on enemy targets . Sensor domes . The geodesic domes located on and around the " Executor " bridge tower ( similar to those of " Imperial " - class Star Destroyers ) served dual purposes . Inside the dome were hyperwave transceiver coils for supralight active sensors , while vanes jutting out of the dome served as shield projectors for the surrounding area . There were many such geodesic domes scattered around the ship . The ship also possessed long - range scanners , which also ensured , alongside Viper probe droids , that the " Executor " could locate Echo base . These domes were not vulnerable to external attack as long as the shields remained intact , but concentrated capital ship bombardment — such as that ordered by Admiral Gial Ackbar during the Battle of Endor — could knock out this protective field . The sensors and shield projectors thus became vulnerable to attack , as demonstrated by Rebel starfighter pilots . Complement . A minimum of 144 starfighters were carried onboard " Executor " - class vessels ; but the massive hangars could hold thousands . In addition to fighters , the " Executor " - class also carried a large number of landing craft , dropships , ground armor and two prefabricated garrison bases . At least three hangar bays were located on the portside , several underneath the vessel and multi - level fighter bays deep inside the main superstructure . The class had an internal Beltway cargo handling system . The internal freight shaft went from the stern to the prow of the battleship , equipped with a tracked hauler that could carry large loads throughout the vessel . In terms of detention facilities , these Super - class Star Destroyers possessed six detention blocks that were used for crew discipline alone . In addition , they held ten additional high - security blocks that were used for enemy prisoners . Furthermore , they contained three cargo areas that were designed for the secure transport of large quantities of slaves , refugees or even prisoners of war . Adjacent to the large landing bays used by the bulk shuttles were holding areas that were equipped with only minimal facilities in terms of water taps , ventilation and food dispensers . These regions of the ship were considered adequate for up to a thousand people . Bridge . The bridge tower was almost a starship in itself and was a standard module on many different KDY warship classes . It was equipped with heavy shielding to compensate for its highly visible location , and contained mess halls , special quarters for officers of high rank , and large escape pods . The admiral aboard the vessel even had his own escape pod , directly above the command bridge and next to admiral ' s suites . The command tower also had its own power generators , relays , and life - support systems . It was connected to the ship ' s main reactor by a cluster of power feeds . The tower ' s shaft was also littered with thin flaps that had a variety of purposes , including heat - sink panels , small radiators , antennas , and even defensive cannons on occasion . The bridge of the " Executor " had the same basic layout as standard Star Destroyers . The outermost part featured nine triangular viewports . The center contained two crewpits which housed the control consoles for the ship , of which there were six consoles for each crew pit . As the crewpits inhibited the flight data officers , tracking systems specialists , and combat supervisors ' ability to see through the bridge ' s viewport , the crew focused on their consoles without unnecessary distraction . Between them was the command walkway . To the right and left sides of the bridge were two alcoves containing the weapons and defense stations , which were located to the right and left of the hall , respectively , and likewise were placed near minor viewports . Behind the bridge was the Security Foyer , which contained the communications stations on the leftmost wall , a turbolift , and a HoloNet pod for ship - to - ship communications at the center . Immediately behind the Security Foyer was a series of steps that led directly to the main corridor , with the immediate entryway to the corridor possessing access doorways to each side . On the level directly beneath the bridge was the main navigation complex . Additional tower structures were located throughout the ship ' s main superstructure , including a forward structure similar in design to the " Munificent " - class Star Frigate ' s command tower . History . Design and construction . The " Executor " - class was the brainchild of Lira Wessex , the brilliant and ambitious engineer who already had the designs of the " Venator " - class and " Imperator " - class ( later renamed " Imperial " - class ) Star Destroyers to her credit . Following her work on the already - impressive " Imperial " - class , Wessex sought to improve on the design . Adhering to Kuat Drive Yards ' philosophy of psychological effect in starship design , or " terror styling , " she believed that the immense size of an " Imperial " - class Star Destroyer was largely responsible for its ability to intimidate opponents . Working on that theory , she began designing a starship that would dwarf all her previous works . Though KDY had designed and built extremely large warships in the past , such as Star Dreadnoughts like the " Mandator " - class and battlecruisers like the " Procurator " - class , the result obtained by Wessex was utterly gargantuan . Although the ship was developed by Kuat Drive Yards , the Emperor commissioned Fondor Shipyards to finish the lead ship , much to Fondor ' s consternation , as they had to put several civilian ship designs on hold . Their anger grew worse when it became apparent that Kuat Drive Yards would continue development of all future Super Star Destroyer models , as they hoped this would act as an opportunity to steal future design grants from their business rival . In addition , Kuat was also commissioned to develop a second " Executor " - class in secret , in order to get away with stating that the ship was developed in both Kuat and Fondor . Emperor Palpatine authorized the construction of the first four " Executor " - class ships even before the Battle of Yavin ( 0 BBY ) , but it still had to be slipped past the watchful eyes of various oversight committees in the Imperial Senate ; to the very last , the minority of Senators who opposed Palpatine and his policies used the few political tools they had left to hinder him , and one of these was budget oversight . To conceal the particulars of the vessel from the opposition , the Navy listed the new ship as a " " Super " - class Star Destroyer " in budget reports submitted to the Senate , and understated its true length ( 19 , 000 meters ) by many kilometers . Owing to this , the " Executor " - class and other ships of its range in size came to be unofficially classed " Super Star Destroyers . " The ship ' s length , even in Imperial government scandocs , was variously reported as 8 , 000 or 12 , 800 meters , before the true details of the size of the class came to light . The first of the class , the " Executor " , began construction in the years preceding the Battle of Yavin . The unfinished vessel was used as a headquarters for Darth Vader and his secret apprentice , Galen Marek . With the sudden and unanticipated destruction of the Death Star at Yavin , Wessex ' s production schedule changed completely . At the urging of Darth Vader , the Emperor ordered her to rush the new line into production as quickly as possible , to compensate for the loss of the battle station . As certain segments of naval command may have anticipated , a new symbol of intimidation was needed , and as Wessex had believed , the " Executor " - class fit the need well . The first two " Executor " - class ships were now being built simultaneously , with the " Lusankya " at Kuat Drive Yards and the " Executor " moved to the Fondor Shipyards . Darth Vader received the finished " Executor " at Fondor about half a year after the fiasco at Yavin . The second ship , then known as the " Executor II " , was completed shortly afterwards at Kuat , received its new name , and was hidden on Coruscant . Imperial service . The " Executor " went on to become the most feared and famous of its class by virtue of its status as Darth Vader ' s command ship . Because of the " Executor " stance as the lead ship of Darth Vader ' s fleet , Death Squadron , Death Squadron ' s fleet insignia also bore the image of an " Executor " - class Star Dreadnought . In addition , four " Executor " - class Star Dreadnoughts , including the " Executor " itself , were known to have been in service to the Empire by the time of the Battle of Hoth in 3 ABY . However , the vessel was destroyed at the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY , after an A - wing starfighter rammed through its bridge and it subsequently crashed into the Death Star II . During the early years of the Galactic Civil War , several other " Executor " - class ships were built and fielded . A Rebel strike destroyed an " Executor " - class ship , upgraded with cloaking technology , while still under construction at Fondor in 3 ABY . Another Star Dreadnaught with cloaking capability , the " Terror " , was already operational by 3 ABY . The " Vengeance " led a task force around this time . Towards the end of Palpatine ' s glory days in 4 ABY , other " Executor " s were noted as well . The " Guardian " was tasked with protecting Coruscant , the " Annihilator " served in close vicinity to Kuat , the " Reaper " led Scourge Squadron on its patrols in the Outer Rim Territories and the " Brawl " was given to Admiral Zsinj by Palpatine himself . In the later years , production on " Executor " - class Star Dreadnoughts and other Super Star Destroyers accelerated in a display of the Emperor ' s wealth and power . After the death of the Emperor and the fragmentation of the Galactic Empire into feuding fiefs , " Executor " - class Star Dreadnoughts were popular acquisitions amongst warlords hoping to improve their military power and prestige . Some would fall into the hands of the New Republic , where they would fight against the Empire they had once served . The Imperial Warlord Superior General Sander Delvardus had a new " Executor " - class Star Dreadnought constructed at great expense and it was completed in 12 ABY . It was named the " Night Hammer " and was soon taken by Admiral Natasi Daala as her flagship . She renamed it the " Knight Hammer " and led it in an attack against the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4 . However , it was destroyed by the Jedi Callista Ming . Legacy . Following the Black Fleet Crisis , where the New Republic faced the Star Dreadnought " Intimidator " , a decision was made to build a warship class that could counter threats from rogue warships like the " Executor " - class . The result was the Star Dreadnought - analogue " Viscount " - class Star Defender built by the Mon Calamari . In addition to these Star Defenders , the few " Executor " - class Star Dreadnoughts left after the Galactic Civil War would see heavy action in the Yuuzhan Vong War , where even more ships were lost . After the war , the only known Star Dreadnought left and operating under the Galactic Alliance was the " Guardian " , which was present at the Battle of Yuuzhan ' tar , and later returned to its post at Kashyyyk , following the war ' s end . By the Sith – Imperial War , the " Executor " - class was gone from active service , having been found too expensive to run . It shared this fate with many other heavy warship - designs , as fleet doctrine moved towards smaller , compact weapons - platforms , like the MC140 " Scythe " - class main battle cruiser . The final legacy of the " Executor " - class was its partial inspiration for the " Pellaeon " - class Star Destroyer , which incorporated systems from both it and the " Imperial " - class Star Destroyer . Behind the scenes . Other phrases used to describe these vessels were " cruiser " ( ) , " battlecruiser , " " battleship , " and " dreadnaught " ( all from the " Classic Star Wars " comics ) , " Star Destroyer " ( ) , and " Star Cruiser " ( Marvel ' s " Star Wars " comics ) . In the " Empire Strikes Back " arcade game for Atari , an Imperial ship can be seen searching for the Rebels ' secret base shortly before the Battle of Hoth . This crude vector drawing was similar to an early " Executor " production painting . A similar reuse was made in " " and " " , where the flagship of Admiral Mils Giel , the " Helmsman " , was based on early " Executor " concept art . The filming model of " Executor " included some unusual items attached or built - in to create structural details . One notable item visible on close examination of the model is a toy soldier . Originally , during production of " The Empire Strikes Back " , the " Executor " was meant to be just another type of Star Destroyer , similar in design to the ones seen in , only faster . At some point , the design was changed and enlarged , and the vessel became much bigger than its escorting Star Destroyers . G - canon movie visuals established a length of around 11 miles , a size that was maintained by the special - effects team for its two on - screen appearances . Early sources like the " Star Wars Episode V : The Empire Strikes Back " script ( 1978 ) , the " Empire Strikes Back " novelization ( 1980 ) , and " The Empire Strikes Back Official Poster Monthly " ( 1980 ) described the " Executor " as larger and more powerful than the five ISDs accompanying it . ( The sources all used " larger , " but the other characteristics differed slightly . The script used the phrase " more awesome , " the " Poster Monthly " " stronger , " and the novelization " more ominous . " The relation to the five escorting ships remained constant . ) " A Guide to the Star Wars Universe " ( 1984 ) said it was approximately five times larger and more destructive than any Star Destroyer in the Imperial Fleet . Since multiple mile - long Star Destroyers are in Legends material ( implicitly stated in books like " Darksaber " and " " , and explicitly stated in " " ) , this is consistent with earlier sources and does not indicate the " Imperial " - class specifically , which would have created an inconsistency . In 1989 , the RPG - based " Imperial Sourcebook " stated that the class was exactly five times the length of the " Imperial " - class Star Destroyer , and this figure was perpetuated for about 15 years , in game and non - game sources . Often , the accompanying " Executor " illustrations did not match the model used in the films , with the command tower being too large compared to the rest of the vessel , the tail section being truncated , and the ship having fewer engines ( usually stated as nine ) . The behind - the - scenes book " " ( 1995 ) showed the film props and stated that the " Executor " was conceived as eleven times the size of the original Star Destroyer , which itself was one mile ( 1 . 6 km ) long . The " Star Wars " Customizable Card Game ( 1996 ) stated that the " Executor " was over 8 kilometers long , while the Topps Widevision card set released in the same year repeated that the " Executor " was larger than the five ISDs that accompanied it in " The Empire Strikes Back " . The novel " " also mentioned a sister ship , the " Lusankya " , as being ten times larger than an ISD it was battling . Despite this , the novel also described the " Lusankya " as 8 kilometers long . The Black Fleet Crisis novel " Shield of Lies " ( 1996 ) contained a reference to one of the " Executor " sister ships as an " " Executor " - class Star Destroyer . " The " Executor " - class would later be reused as the class name of the " Executor " and its sister ships . The 1998 LucasArts interactive CD - ROM " " described the " Executor " alternately as 8 and 12 . 8 kilometers . In 2004 , the " Inside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy " reference book changed the " Executor " length to 19 kilometers . It was explained by continuity checker Leland Chee to be more consistent with the films . Later books and reference guides mostly followed this number . The official Databank has given various sizes over the years , starting with " over eight times longer than an ISD , " to 12 . 8 kilometers ( as a compromise between fan groups ) , and finally , 19 kilometers . In addition to the " Executor " size , its class and its members were retconned to be " Executor " - class Star Dreadnoughts , with the earlier classifications of Super Star Destroyer and " Super " - class Star Destroyer being explained as military colloquialisms and used originally for disinformation purposes by the Empire ( explained on the Wizards of the Coast website ) . Some fans criticized this information for only pandering to a group derisively called " Saxtonites " ( based on the " Star Wars " author and technical fansite webmaster Curtis Saxton ) , and some still reject that the earlier 8 - kilometer number was erroneous or that the films can be used to justify " facts " in the " Star Wars " universe , despite being classified by Lucas Licensing as the highest canon externally and as part of G - canon internally . The continued use of " Super " - class Star Destroyer and Super Star Destroyer for these bigger warships , now as colloquialisms instead of nomenclature that describes the ship type , limits any potential continuity errors . The latest ship - centered book , the 2007 edition of " Starships of the Galaxy " , uses both the colloquial terms as well as the more recent nomenclature , even adding a separate term for SSDs in general , " star dreadnought , " regardless of whether they ' re of the specific Star Dreadnought type . In addition to the reclassification of the " Executor " , there have been many additions to the Super Star Destroyer line , which originally only described the " Executor " and its class . These include Admiral Giel ' s flagship seen in the Marvel comics , the " Eclipse " , the " Allegiance " , and the " Sovereign " seen in " Dark Empire " and its sourcebook . Several types are described in " Inside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy " , from smaller Star Cruisers to bigger battlecruisers and Star Dreadnoughts , like the sixteen - engine " Megador " featured in the Dark Nest Trilogy , and an early , smaller prototype explored in " Dawn of Defiance " . When the domes on " Executor " bridge tower exploded during the Battle of Endor , a crewman said that the bridge shields were down . This could suggest the domes were shield generators ( despite one dome being intact ) , something that was reinforced by the " Star Wars Roleplaying Game " sourcebooks . In the February 1983 issue of " " , Richard Edlund of Industrial Light & Magic simply referred to them as " radar domes , " similar to real - life domes on warships . Despite this , novels like the " X - wing " books have used destroying the domes to disable shields a plot point . To complicate things , " The Bacta War " also mentioned the SSD " Lusankya " as having sensor domes . The book " Inside the Worlds of the Star Wars Trilogy " clarified that these domes were , in fact , sensor domes built with local - area shield emitter vanes . In one of the new shots inserted into " The Empire Strikes Back " 1997 Special Edition , " Executor " was light gray , in contrast to all other shots of it in the film , where it is bluish - gray . This could be accounted for by different background lighting , as the " Executor " is seen as both light gray and white in publicity shots . Jason Fry in his endnotes admitted that he deliberately kept the exact number of " Executor " - class Star Dreadnoughts ambiguous , and hoped that the reference to black budgets and intelligence work would cover the in - universe reason behind the ambiguous amount neatly .