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Shuttle · Galactic Empire
Imperial Shuttle
The Empire's elegant Lambda-class transport, with a tall fin and folding wings, used by Vader and the Emperor.
- Model
- Lambda-class T-4a shuttle
- Maker
- Sienar Fleet Systems
- Length
- 20 m
- Crew
- Pilot and copilot
- Passengers
- 20
- Hyperdrive
- class 1, backup: class 10
- Shields
- yes
- Armament
- 2 forward-facing double laser cannons · 2 wing-mounted double cannons · 1 rear-facing double laser cannon
Galactic EmpireRebel AllianceCompare on the scale
Overview
The Imperial Shuttle, formally the Lambda-class T-4a, is how the Empire moves its important people. Sienar Fleet Systems built it with a tall central fin and wings that fold for landing, and it carries a pilot, a copilot and up to 20 passengers[2].
Lambdas turn up all over the saga. Darth Vader and the Emperor travel in their own, Governor Tarkin and Dedra Meero arrive in them with death troopers, and the Rebellion steals one to reach Endor[1][2].
Length 20 m
How it flies and fights
The Lambda is built to protect its passengers. Deflector shields cover the hull, and the weapons are two forward-facing double laser cannons, two wing-mounted double cannons and a rear-facing double laser cannon[2]. A Class 1 hyperdrive, backed by a Class 10 unit, lets it make long jumps between systems[2].
Who flew it
Darth Vader
Owner
Used a Lambda as his personal transport, in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Star Wars Rebels[1].
Emperor Palpatine
Owner
Travelled in his own heavily guarded Lambda, including the trip to the second Death Star[1].
Wilhuff Tarkin
Owner
Landed at the Imperial security complex on Scarif by Lambda, touching down on Landing Pad 13[2].
Chronicle
Key moments in the ship's life, in story order. Spoilers stay hidden until you mark the title as watched in the timeline.
-
≈ 15 BBY
The Empire sends a Lambda to Janix as part of its manhunt for the renegade Maul[2].
- ≈ 5 BBY
-
0 BBY
Governor Tarkin lands his Lambda at the security complex on Scarif, with death troopers as his guard[2].
-
4 ABY
Episode VI — Return of the Jedi
The Rebels fly the stolen Lambda Tydirium past the Imperial blockade to Endor, carrying Han Solo's strike team, while the Emperor arrives on his own shuttle[1].
Where it flew
Where to see the Imperial Shuttle
Films, series and games with the Imperial Shuttle, in story order.
Maul — Shadow LordAnimated series · 2026
AndorSeries · 2022–2025Cassian Andor goes from a thief to a rebel as the Empire tightens its grip — the story of how the Rebellion was born.
Star Wars RebelsAnimated series · 2014–2018The crew of the starship Ghost takes on the Empire, and young Ezra Bridger discovers the Force.
Rogue One: A Star Wars StoryMovie · 2016A band of rebels led by Jyn Erso sets out to steal the plans of the Death Star.
Episode V — The Empire Strikes BackMovie · 1980The Empire hunts the rebels across the galaxy, while Luke trains with Jedi Master Yoda.
Episode VI — Return of the JediMovie · 1983The rebels attack the second Death Star, and Luke faces Darth Vader and the Emperor.
Variants
Emperor's personal shuttle
Palpatine's own Lambda travels with a Royal Guard escort and carries heavy armament. He uses it to reach the second Death Star above Endor[3].
Lord Vader's Lambda
Darth Vader's private shuttle, kept for his own journeys. It appears in The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Rebels[1].
Tydirium
A Lambda in Rebel hands, used to carry Han Solo's strike team to Endor[5].
Behind the scenes
- ILM built two shooting models of the Lambda for Return of the Jedi. The 1997 Special Edition of The Empire Strikes Back later added a Lambda to that film, using CGI rather than a miniature[6].
- The life-size mockup in the Home One hangar is stubbier than the sleeker ILM space model. The difference is usually traced to blueprints drawn from photographs of the models[4].
Did you know
- Most Imperial ships look brutish. The Lambda is called an elegant exception, a break from the Empire's usual look[1].
