Upsilon - class command shuttle An Upsilon " - class command shuttle , also referred to simply as an Upsilon " - class shuttle , was a multi - purpose transport utilized by the First Order as an armor ed shuttle for high - class dignitaries and top - ranking military officials . Armed with twin heavy laser cannon s and advanced sensor suites , the " Upsilon " - class shuttle was able to monitor and scan enemy communications to effectively avoid hostile encounters . Inspired by decades of Imperial shuttle design , it mimicked the " Lambda " - class T - 4a shuttle , and was upgraded with powerful technologies resulting from the acquisition of chief scientist s following the collapse of the Old Empire . Characteristics . The " Upsilon " - class command shuttle was a transport measuring 37 . 2 meter s tall with wings extended , and featured room for up to five crew members , along with an internal passenger compartment with room for ten occupants . The craft ' s lower wings protected the shuttle crew ' s cabin from hostile fire during takeoff and landing procedures — the craft ' s most vulnerable time for an enemy attack . Four landing gears , two repulsorlift arrays , a single ramp and landing lights allowed for the ships to load or unload its complement in a multitude of conditions . The ship was propelled by two large SJFS - 200a sublight ion engine s , and as most ships , was equipped with an internal hyperdrive . A warp vortex stabilizer was specially installed to help ease the ship ' s entrance and exit from hyperspace . The distinguishing feature of the " Upsilon " - class shuttle was its advanced sensor suites and military - focused design , making it more than a mere pleasure craft or luxury starship . The shuttle featured extensive sensor suites in its upper wings , while the lower wings were equipped with efficient shield projectors and sensor jammer s , which were aided with a jammer modulation node . Its upper wing housed its primary sensor node , along with several passive - mode sensors and a long - range scan - mode sensor array . Additionally , an installed heat sink extended the expected lifespan of sensor systems . For communications , a subspace communications antenna and hyperwave comm scanner were equipped within the craft ' s upper wings . While landing , the ship ' s wings would swoop upwards and retract to half their in - flight height , encasing the long - range sensor arrays of the upper wings within the ship ' s protective durasteel armor . Powerful gears and shock springs additionally protected the sensors and wing structure from damage , especially when the shuttle ' s wings slanted outwards when in flight to maximize sensor spread . To control the ship ' s giant wings , several mechanical process were developed to allow the wings to either extend or retract . Within the lower wing , a large wing retraction gear was installed , while further up the wing existed a wing retraction servo well . Above it , a wing retraction receiving rack and locking mechanism to hold the wings in their extended position were also installed , along with retracting upper stabilizers . Wing collapse shock springs to minimize damage to sensitive machinery were installed below the wing retraction gear as a precaution against a rough landing . Offensively , the shuttle was armed with two L - s10 . 2 twin heavy laser cannon s powered by laser cannon charge cells . While lacking in extensive firepower , the ship would often be traveling with a TIE / fo space superiority fighter escort , making up for the vessels lack of offensive capabilities . If isolated , the craft featured powerful deflector shield generator s aided by a front and rear deflector shield projector array installed within the ships wings . Additionally , a countermeasure system designed to deflect incoming guided projectiles was installed in the upper wing assembly ; along with dual static discharge vanes in case of a lightning or electrical strike . Furthermore , the ship was designed to detect and avoid enemy contact owing to its extensive sensor systems , however if this failed , an installed sensor jammer allowed the ship to prevent an enemy vessel from calling in reinforcements . In the interest of crew safety , a red , external warning light would light up indicating that the ship ' s upper wing sensors were in use , and that radiation levels may be hazardous . History . The " Upsilon " - class command shuttle was a product of secret research conducted by First Order technocrats deep within the galaxy ' s Unknown Regions as they plotted their eventual return to power . It was heavily inspired by the shuttles of the Old Empire , such as the " Lambda " - class T - 4a shuttle . Thirty years after the Battle of Endor , Kylo Ren notably utilized an " Upsilon " - class command shuttle in his search for Luke Skywalker , using it to transport himself , Gideon Hask and a squad of stormtroopers to Pillio , and later using it to arrive at an attack on a Jakku village . It later transported Kylo Ren to the Battle of Takodana . A shuttle later served as Ren ' s mobile command station during the Battle of Crait . Aside from Ren , the First Order officers Major Stridan and Lieutenant Dormitz also made use of these shuttles .