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The Kappa-class Shuttle possesses many features which were later incorporated into the Lambda-class Shuttle. These features include the angled cockpit area with wide viewport, a ventral debarkation hatch, and three stubby stabilization fins. Conversely, it is intended to transport troops directly into a hot landing zone, as well as their supplies, equipment, and close support in the form of AT-PTs. Its blaster cannons protect the shuttle during flight, while its repeating blaster cannons clear its destined landing area of any hostile forces, thus allowing the shuttle to establish a safe zone for its carried platoon to disembark. These obsolete shuttles were designed before the company Republic Sienar Systems became Sienar Fleet Systems as it is known today. Before the declaration of the Empire, Victory-class Star Destroyers were equipped with these craft. Eventually, these shuttles were replaced by the more modern dropships which feature greater troop capacity and the capability to transport the considerably larger cousins of the AT-PT; the AT-AT and the AT-ST. As a result, Kappas were transferred to secondary ships within the Imperial Fleet. Regardless of its current status, the interior troop cabin is open to modifications including altering the seat arrangement or seat removal. This shuttle took advantage of the revolutionary, but short-lived concept of its era - featuring an aft vehicle bay containing two AT-PTs (also a new concept in that era). Port and starboard exit hatches from the vehicle bay allow the AT-PTs to disembark over low ramps. It would be these carried AT-PTs that would provide heavy firepower and armour support to ground troops landing in a combat zone. This concept saw limited employment on the battlefield since the Kappa Shuttle was replaced with newer dropships. Unfortunately, most of the Kappa Shuttles' AT-PT complement have since been scrapped in favour of its more intimidating and larger cousins. Today, very few Kappas' still maintain their AT-PT complement. The resulting space in the vehicle bays are now tasked for carrying cargo or other more conventional vehicles. Possession of a Kappa-class Shuttle and its complement of AT-PTs is highly illegal for civilians, nonetheless there have been several instances where certain mercenary organizations have employed this craft. Currently, this shuttle still sees limited production and sale to system militaries and mercenary units. It must be noted that some Kappa Shuttles have found their way out of Imperial service and onto the general used starship market. In some cases those shuttles came complete with one or both of their AT-PT complement in the vehicle bay. In other cases, the vehicle bay is employed to store and maintain power armour or as an assault staging area, especially by some mercenary and shock-troop platoon units. Even the vile Rebel Alliance possesses this craft, and it is in much demand among its SpecForces. |
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Sources: AJ7***Pg 35, 47-49 / ROETRSH***Pg 46, 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||