Concussion missile / Legends A concussion missile was a short - range , winged or wingless anti - vehicle missile generally deployed by starship - or vehicle - mounted launchers . There were a wide range of concussion missiles , varying in speed , maneuverability , and destructive capability . The concussion missile evolved from the ancient concussion spheres that were bigger , slower , and less destructive weapons similar to traditional bombs . This missile type was a weaker form of assault concussion missile , but could , however , have their explosive yield and exit velocity increased via advanced concussion missile upgrade . Description . Weapons manufacturers generally produced both the launchers and the missiles , and sold them as units . Ground forces used them against any fast - moving vehicle . In space combat , concussion missiles ranged in potency from anti - starfighter weapons launched from other diminutive craft to devastating warheads capable of crippling massive capital ships that were launched from specialized defensive satellites . Concussion missiles could also be set to airburst above their intended target to great effect , dispersing shock waves and damaging infrastructure . Each missile was stored and launched from a pressurized canister which was designed to protect it during transport , storage , and loading , but also acted as a launch tube . The canisters were racked in circular magazines that were loaded into a vehicle . In ground - based launchers , the missile was launched sideways before igniting and traveling its course . Each concussion missile featured an armor - piercing tip that penetrated a target ' s hull before igniting the missile ' s compact energy pack , causing more devastating results than single - shot turbolaser cannons . The impact would trigger the missile ' s warhead , which contained a small energy pack that triggered a concussion blast that damaged the surrounding area and disrupted instruments and equipment . A concussion missile did not necessarily need to impact in order to detonate , however ; some could be set to explode at a preset proximity to the target . In atmosphere , the missile created a deafening sonic boom and caused major damage to the surrounding area . History . Starfighters such as the Rebel Alliance RZ - 1 A - wing interceptor and the Imperial Missile Boat made extensive use of concussion missiles in dogfights . The " Victory I " - class Star Destroyer was well known for its battery of concussion missiles , but newer capital ships like the " Imperial " - class Star Destroyer replaced them with ion cannons because missiles were expensive and could only be carried in limited numbers . Some were equipped with multiple lock - on systems . During the Battle of Endor , Lando Calrissian fired concussion missiles at the main reactor of Death Star II , triggering the fatal blow , after wingman Wedge Antilles used proton torpedoes to take out the battle station ' s power regulator . Behind the scenes . In early LucasArts games , such as " " , concussion missiles were simply referred to as missiles . This kind of warhead is used commonly in all of the X - wing games . The games also depict concussion missiles as being less damaging than proton torpedoes , although other sources reverse this relationship .