The Imperial-class Star Destroyer, or simply the Imperial Star Destroyer, was a model of capital ship that became the mainstay of the Imperial Navy of the Galactic Empire. It was the successor to the Venator-class Star Destroyer used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars and quickly became a symbol of Imperial military might throughout the galaxy. Bristling with heavy weaponry and advanced systems, Imperial Star Destroyers served as both capital ships and subjugators to enforce the Empire's will in any system they conquered.
The first iteration of this vessel, the Imperial I-class, was introduced in the months after the end of the Clone Wars and was deployed to quell any lingering uprisings or Separatist holdouts. One particular destroyer quickly became Governor Wilhuff Tarkin's personal flagship, which was sent to Wayland to assess an incursion into Tantiss Base.
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The Imperial-class Star Destroyer was 1,600 meters in length, much larger and more equipped than its Venator-class predecessor. They were equipped with 60 heavy turbolaser batteries and 60 ion cannons each, with a crew of over 200 gunners to man them. The average Star Destroyer carried up to 9,700 Stormtroopers.
Their massive hangars were designed to support Imperial operations both in space and on the ground. A single destroyer carried 72 starfighters, typically V-Wing Starfighters in the early days of the Empire's reign, as well as 20 heavy walkers and 30 scout walkers plus support craft.