Lambda-class T-4a shuttle

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> It was a *Lambda*-class shuttle. You can tell by the sound of the engines—
>
> Thane Kyrell,

The ***Lambda*-class T-4a shuttle**, also known as the **Lambda-class shuttle**, **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 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,

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 folded outwards for greater stabilization, while during landing procedures the wings folded inward, reducing the vessel's 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

> Let's see what this piece of junk can do.
>
> Han Solo,

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 Emperor Palpatine himself and his Sith apprentice Darth Vader, traveled in their own private *Lambda*-class T-4a shuttles; with the Emperor's shuttle distinguished by a gray stripe on its nose. Governor Wilhuff Tarkin and his death trooper guard arrived at Landing Pad 13 of the Imperial security complex on the planet Scarif aboard a Lamdba.

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 former Imperial Grand Admiral Rae Sloane used a *Lambda*-class shuttle while tracking down Gallius Rax.

Gideon's Imperial remnant used Shuttle 2743. Doctor Pershing was traveling on it when it was raided by Din Djarin and his allies to capture the doctor. They then used it to crash aboard Gideon's light cruiser.

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

## Behind the scenes

The shuttles first appeared in the 1983 saga film *Star Wars*: Episode VI *Return of the Jedi*.

### Non-canon appearances

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* *Disney Infinity 3.0*
* *LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga*

## Notes and references

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1. ↑ *Lost Stars*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Shattered Empire 4`
3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Ultimate Star Wars`
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Databank`
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Ships of the Galaxy`
6. ↑ *Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side!*
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Episode VI`
8. ↑ Template:SWE
9. ↑ Template:SWE
10. ↑ *Darth Vader Annual* 2
11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Star Wars Battlefront 2`
12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Empire's End`
13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Mando CH 16`
14. ↑ *Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Incredible Cross-Sections*