A certain XS stock light freighter during the era of the Great Galactic War in operation.
The term freighter, alternatively called a barge or cargo ship, was applied to any spacecraft designed for the purpose of transporting cargo or freight (such as components and provisions). Individuals from both sides of the law, including legitimate business people and smugglers, could be found captaining these types of transports. Since the dawn of interstellar travel, freighters have been essential for delivering supplies to every corner of the galaxy. As faster delivery times commanded higher prices, most freighters were equipped with hyperdrives.
Freighters were categorized into various classifications, such as the light freighter, medium freighter, and bulk freighter.
Primarily, freighters served the purpose of trade. While they rarely participated in large-scale conflicts, many freighters experienced some form of combat. Both law-abiding merchants and smugglers occasionally found themselves in dangerous situations, leading to the arming and shielding of freighters to defend against cargo theft.
Smuggling was a common illegal activity within the galaxy, which consisted of the clandestine transportation of prohibited goods across planetary and system borders. This activity typically involved a smaller freighter, such as the renowned Millennium Falcon, to evade planetary security forces while transporting the illegal cargo. Examples of contraband included spice, blasters, and medical supplies.
Smugglers frequently enhanced their vessels to gain an advantage over rivals and evade planetary security. Almost every smuggler's ship featured upgraded light speed and sub-light speed drives for enhanced speed, as well as improved weapon systems to fight their way out of perilous situations. A prevalent modification to a smuggler's freighter was the inclusion of numerous hidden compartments to conceal contraband from security inspections, while legitimate goods occupied the cargo holds. The Millennium Falcon, for instance, had removable floor panels serving this purpose.
Certain freighters underwent such extensive modifications that the intricate network of unconventional and mismatched components rendered them virtually unserviceable by conventional starship mechanics. Consequently, smugglers were required to possess extensive knowledge of freighter mechanics and electronics to maintain their vessels. Most smugglers preferred this arrangement, as they distrusted others tampering with their prized possessions.
Given that most smugglers' freighters required more than one crew member, it was common practice to hire a copilot, such as Chewbacca aboard the Millennium Falcon or the droid LE-BO2D9 on the Outrider. To a smuggler, their freighter was everything: their livelihood, their residence, and their very existence. Many smugglers lived aboard their freighters, lacking a permanent home on any planet.