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In the fictional Star Wars universe, the Lambda-class shuttle is a standard light utility aerospacecraft in use throughout the Imperial Navy. Built by Imperial starship manufacturer Sienar Fleet Systems, it is reasonably well-armed, with two wing-mounted dual laser gun turrets (with some versions mounting an additional rear twin-laser turret, just above the main thrusters) and a pair of chin-mounted, fixed-forward twin laser guns, suggesting that its main role is special operations forces insertion and extraction. Its similarity to an already-existing type of civilian light utility craft reinforces this impression. However, because of poor acceleration and manoeuvrability it is incapable of adequately defending itself from enemy starfighter forces. This is exemplified by all flights of ranking Imperial personnel being accompanied by a pair of TIE fighters. Secondary uses of the Lambda-class shuttle include extravehicular pilot extraction, cargo and personnel transport, and long-range targeting for starfighter-class missile guidance systems. The Lambda-class shuttle was being phased into service during Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, replacing the Theta-class shuttle, seen in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and production continued even after the Empire fell. The distinctive trihedral foil design, first seen in Republic transports in Revenge of the Sith, is reminiscent of the T-16 Skyhopper, designed by Incom Corporation, but rather than three fixed wings, the two lower wings are mechanically articulated. During flight, the lower wings fold out for stabilization, and when landing, fold in, thus shrinking the vessel's size. A variant on the design was used in the Sentinel-class Landing Craft (Imperial landing craft), seen briefly in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Some Lamdba-class shuttles have been upgraded with enhanced beam weaponry, deflector shielding, and even ESW threat receivers. An example is the Thyphonian. Other Lambda-class shuttles sport concussion missile launchers to give them heavier weaponry. The shuttle Tyderium is an example of the Imperial Lambda-class shuttle. The Rebel Alliance captured the Tyderium and used it to transport a small Rebel commando team to the forest moon of Endor. In orbit above the planet was the construction site for the Empire's second Death Star, which was using an image of false vulnerability to lure the Rebel fleet into a massive trap designed to wipe out the Rebellion. The Rebel taskforce managed to destroy the Imperial Shield Generator which was projecting a defensive energy shield around the Death Star from the surface, thus enabling Rebel fighter craft to launch a direct attack on the Imperial space station.
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