Lambda-class T-4a shuttle

Lambda shuttle in flight

The ***Lambda*-class T-4a shuttle**, also known as the **Imperial Lambda**, **Imperial Transport** or the **Imperial Shuttle**, was a multi-purpose transport with a trihedral foil design used by the Galactic Empire during the Galactic Civil War, and was considered an elegant departure from the standards of brutish Imperial engineering. The shuttles were often used by high-ranking Imperial officers and such dignitaries as Darth Vader and Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine, but were more commonly found ferrying stormtroopers or cargo.

### Description

"*So, the problem with these* Lambda*-class shuttles, they fly fine with one, but it's much easier with a copilot… especially through hyperspace.*"
―Luke Skywalker, to Shara Bey - Shattered Empire, Part IV

A hyperdrive-equipped multi-purpose transport, the *Lambda*-class T-4a shuttle was developed by Sienar Fleet Systems for use in the Imperial Navy. Measuring 20 meters in length, the *Lambda*-class could attain a max speed of 850 kph, and was one of the more common Imperial ships found throughout the galaxy—along with its nearly-identical counterpart, the *Sentinel*-class landing craft. It had three wings: one tall, dorsal stabilizer that remained stationary, and two lower articulated flanking wings. While in flight, the wings would fold outwards for greater stabilization, while during landing procedures the wings would fold inward, reducing the vessels silhouette. This triangular shape was considered elegant and a departure from the Empire's usually crude designs.

Although *Lambda*-class craft could be flown by a single pilot, the presence of a copilot/navigator made it much easier, especially when traveling through hyperspace. Additionally, in order to prove that the shuttle crew was working for the Empire, *Lambda*-class T-4a shuttles utilized special transponders to transmit secret codes to Star Destroyers.

Despite the elegance of the *Lambda*-class's outer design, the inside of many shuttles often reeked of stale sweat owing to the numerous perspiring stormtroopers they hauled across the galaxy. Moreover, bored troopers were known to scratch their operating numbers on every available surface.

A well-armed vessel, the *Lambda*-class T-4a shuttle was equipped with two forward-facing double laser cannons, two forward-facing wing-mounted double cannons, and a retractable rear-mounted double laser cannon.

### History

The Imperial *Lambda*-class shuttle was the conceptual and engineering offspring of the *Nu*-class transport, a versatile craft that saw use during the Clone Wars. Even the top members of the Empire's hierarchy, including Galactic Emperor|Emperor Palpatine himself and his Sith apprentice Anakin Skywalker|Darth Vader, traveled in their own private *Lambda*-class T-4a shuttles; with the Emperor Palpatine's shuttle|Emperor's shuttle distinguished by a gray stripe on its nose. During the Battle of Jakku, *Lambda*-class shuttles acted as evacuation shuttles from downed Imperial vessels, as well as troop transports to deliver Imperial ground forces to firefights across the surface. During the battle, New Republic pilot Norra Wexley and the former Grand Admiral Rae Sloane used a *Lambda*-class shuttle while tracking down Gallius Rax.

Decades later, the Empire's first true successor state, the First Order would borrow design philosophies exuded from the *Lambda*-class T-4a shuttle into their newer *Upsilon*-class command shuttle.

## Notes

1. ↑ Required
2. ↑ Stolen ships
3. ↑ Post-1997 releases
4. ↑ Wreckage only

## Sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Ultimate Star Wars
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Wars: The Rebel Files
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Databank - Imperial Shuttle
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Star Wars: Ships of the Galaxy
5. ↑ Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know
6. ↑ Star Wars Super Graphic: A Visual Guide to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Shattered Empire, Part IV
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
9. ↑ Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side!
10. ↑ Star Wars Encyclopedia - Republic attack shuttle
11. ↑ Star Wars Encyclopedia - Imperial shuttle
12. ↑ Star Wars Battlefront II
13. ↑ Aftermath: Empire's End
14. ↑ Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Incredible Cross-Sections