Hardcell - class interstellar transport The " Hardcell " - class interstellar transport , or colloquially known as the Techno Union ship , was a light capital transport produced by the Techno Union prior to the onset of the Clone Wars . The " Hardcell " - class transport was used by both the Techno Union and the InterGalactic Banking Clan . It was known as something of a status symbol among Techno Union officials . Characteristics . The " Hardcell " - class was a cylindrical , titanium - hulled vessel just over 220 meters in height , and powered by a cluster of six primary thruster engines . The " Hardcell " - class did not use conventional repulsorlifts for flight , instead using rocket propulsion designed for atmospheric and stellar travel . The transport ' s drive motors were deployed to generate enough retro - rocket thrust to achieve vertical landings at speeds of up to 800 kilometers per hour . A set of three landing legs — sometimes converted into landing claws for operations on low - gravity worlds — were deployed from the underside of the transport to stabilize its landing . The " Hardcell " - class could achieve takeoff at speeds of 4 , 000 kilometers per hour , though in space , the vessel was capable only of a relatively slow sublight speed of 40 MGLT . The interior of the " Hardcell " - class was designed in a stacked formation , to capitalize upon the vessel ' s vertical landing position . Banks of turbolifts connected each deck . Much of the interior of Separatist - operated " Hardcell " - class transports was given up to storage of droid forces ; a standard " Hardcell " - class transport could carry hundreds of " Hailfire " - class tanks and missile ammunition in quick - deployment rigs , and , following the First Battle of Geonosis , legions of IG - series battle droids . The transport was crewed by organics , with crew and medical quarters located in the conical nose . Most had pressurized cabins so that Skakoans could remove their pressure suits . This area also contained an advanced sensor array and secure communications equipment to maintain contact with the Interstellar Stock Exchange . " Hardcell " - class transports were not designed for combat , though they were afforded meager protection with a ring of turret - mounted laser cannons around the fuselage and occasionally several missile launchers . In a battle situation , the most effective tactic for a " Hardcell " - class transport crew was to flee into hyperspace , utilizing the vessel ' s Class One hyperdrive to make a speedy retreat . History . Prior to the Clone Wars , these vessels were deployed to travel between star systems for striking business deals , scouting and collecting taxes from member companies . Six " Hardcell " - class transports were used in the fleet Kinman Doriana was assigned to destroy " Outbound Flight " . All six were destroyed by the Chiss Commander Thrawn ' s forces before " Outbound Flight " arrived at their position . 286 " Hardcell " - class transports were stationed on Geonosis when the Grand Army of the Republic launched its first offensive of the Clone Wars . Many were shot down by Republic LAAT / i gunships , but 169 of these managed to escape the battle , including the personal , modified vessel belonging to Techno Union Foreman Wat Tambor — in which Tambor installed a powerful deflector shield generator and a series of synchronized scanners to sweep the vessel for tracking or listening devices . A downed " Hardcell " - class transport was located at Checkpoint Alpha . It was seized by the Republic during the battle . Banking Clan Chairman San Hill also attempted to flee the planet in his personal " Hardcell " - class transport , though an engine malfunction left the vessel stranded in the E ' Y - Akh Desert for several weeks — it was unknown how Hill was able to evade Galactic Republic forces and return to Banking Clan space . During the First Battle of Geonosis , Anakin Skywalker found and exploited a weakness in the " Hardcell " - class design , ordering his gunners to aim their missiles directly above the transport ' s fuel cells , at the joint between the upper and lower halves of the ship . Filled with thousands of gallons of fuel , the rupture of the engines caused massive explosions that rent the vessel in two . After the battle the Techno Union supplied the CIS with a thousand more ships of that class .