Acclamator-class transgalactic military assault ship

Characteristics

Design and systems

The assault ship of the Acclamator-class was a product of Rothana Heavy Engineering, a subsidiary belonging to Kuat Drive Yards. Serving as a precursor to later Star Destroyer designs, like the Venator-class, the Acclamator-class was a component of the clandestine construction initiative set in motion by Darth Sidious (acting under what appeared to be the Jedi High Council's orders) to establish the Grand Army of the Republic. Its design featured a wide, arrowhead-shaped hull, complemented by a singular command and observation deck situated towards the ship's rear. The majority of the ship's internal space was allocated for cargo and passenger lodging. During the First Battle of Geonosis, Acclamators appeared unpainted, displaying a gray color. However, after some time, many Acclamators were marked with a red stripe down the middle, alongside stripes along their sides. The Acclamator-class also had long-range sensors. While planetary defense forces had previously constructed substantially larger vessels for patrolling local space lanes, the Acclamator-class was significant as it marked the return of genuinely transgalactic warships to the galaxy.

The Acclamator-class obtained propulsion from a set of electromagnetic thrust-vectoring sublight engines alongside remarkably rapid Class .6 twin hyperdrive engines, which used a navigation computer. Additionally, it had a Class 10 backup hyperdrive. The hyperdrives, along with neutrino radiators for the power system, were positioned in the ship's tail. The primary reactor was located deep within the ship's hull terraces, fueled by condensed annihilation reactant that was significantly denser than the ship itself. Tensorial integrity and inertial compensator field conduits extended throughout the ship's entirety. At the stern of the ship was located the conning tower, which contained the primary sensor and communications assembly at the front, with the bridge and battle operations room positioned behind it.

Passengers and complement

The Acclamator-class required a crew consisting of 700 officers and enlisted personnel. Although it did not carry any starfighters, it could transport 320 speeder bikes, sixty-six Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry vehicles, fourteen Low Altitude Assault Transport carriers, forty-eight AT-TEs, and thirty-six SPHA walkers. The Acclamator-class had the capacity to carry an entire legion of clone troopers, which included 9,000 combat troops and 6,000 HQ and support personnel. Moreover, the Acclamator could carry enough supplies for six months. Unlike many vessels of its size, the Acclamator-class could land on both ground and water, enabling it to deploy its complement of clone troopers and vehicles in a matter of hours. To bear the ship's weight, a combination of antigravity repulsorlifts and landing pads were employed. Troops and vehicles could exit the main hanger through ramps extending from the sides or via a ventral hanger opening. Barracks for the majority of troops were located near the ship's dorsal terrace. LAAT gunships were transported on a circulating rail within the main hanger, featuring platforms that allowed for maintenance and troop loading, while other combat vehicles were stored within dedicated service bays.

Defense

To defend itself, the Acclamator-class was encased in super-dispersive neutronium-impregnated armor. This armor made it highly resistant to Separatist fusion rockets. Furthermore, it was fortified by powerful deflector shielding, with regional shield generator nodes positioned at various locations on the ship. However, the Battle of Ryloth showed that Separatist J-1 proton cannons could easily breach the shields of an Acclamator-class assault ship.

Armament

The Acclamator-class was armed with three starboard, three port, and six forward quad light turbolaser batteries, in addition to twelve port and twelve starboard heavy laser cannons. It also featured four proton torpedo launchers and tractor beams. The ship was encircled by a series of point-defense laser cannons. This arsenal enabled it to perform a range of orbital bombardments to support ground forces. These bombardments ranged from precise surgical strikes to extremely destructive Base Delta Zero bombardments.

Role

During the Clone Wars, the main purpose of the Acclamator-class was that of a troop transport, even though it also served as a warship. Designed to monitor ground movements and coordinate attacks, each clone trooper had a tracking device in their helmet. This allowed controllers on Acclamator-class ships to better understand the combat situation. Their adaptability and function as troop transports proved indispensable throughout the Clone Wars.

History

Clone Wars

Action at Geonosis

Under the initiative known as Project Icefang, Acclamators were secretly manufactured by Rothana Heavy Engineering through a contract with the Kaminoan government. Being the first starship developed by RHE, the Acclamator was produced on Rothana and within the Kuat shipyards.

During the First Battle of Geonosis in 22 BBY, which signified the conclusion of the Separatist Crisis and the onset of the Clone Wars, the Acclamator-class assault ship was used extensively. During this battle, twelve Acclamators belonging to the Rothana assault ship fleet, including the Implacable, were dispatched alongside Jedi Grand Master Yoda to Geonosis to reinforce the Jedi. They transported a total of 192,000 clone troopers, 1,600 Low Altitude Assault Transport/i gunships, 400 Low Altitude Assault Transport carriers, 100 Self-Propelled Heavy Artillery Turbolasers, and 2,160 All Terrain Tactical Enforcers, ultimately securing a Republic victory.

Deployment to Christophsis and Teth

Following the Battle of Geonosis, the Confederacy of Independent Systems blockaded the crystalline planet Christophsis as part of their efforts to seize control of the galaxy's major hyperspace routes. However, after Republic forces, under the leadership of Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, broke through the blockade, they found themselves trapped, dwindling in numbers, and outnumbered on the planet's surface, where they fought the army of Kerkoiden General Whorm Loathsom. During the battle, the Jedi contacted the Jedi Temple on Coruscant requesting assistance. This led to the dispatch of Admiral Wurtz's fleet, under Yoda and Admiral Wullf Yularen, comprising four Acclamator-class assault ships and three Venator-class Star Destroyers.

Following their triumph at Christophsis, Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano were sent to the planet Teth aboard an Acclamator-class assault ship to rescue the Huttlet Rotta, who was the son of crime lord Jabba Desilijic Tiure.

Landing on Ryloth

Later, during the Battle of Ryloth, after Skywalker and his fleet of three Venators successfully broke through the Separatist blockade orbiting the planet, the Republic deployed an invasion fleet of three Acclamators under Generals Mace Windu and Kenobi, which began preparations to descend on the planet. However, as the three assault ships were landing, the Separatists used J-1 proton cannons to fire on the invasion fleet. They managed to penetrate the deflector shield of one of the assault ships, destroying an engine and causing the damaged ship to plummet to the surface. This forced the remaining two to abort their landing and dispatch several LAAT/i gunships to destroy the cannons.

Kenobi, leading the 212th Attack Battalion's Ghost Company, quickly destroyed the proton cannons after navigating through the Twi'lek settlement of Nabat. This allowed the remaining ships to land, and the Republic was able to liberate Ryloth from the Confederacy's occupation.

Return to Geonosis

Later, during the second year of the war, the Republic learned that the Confederacy, supported by the Trade Federation and the InterGalactic Banking Clan, was constructing a new droid factory on Geonosis. The Republic returned to the desert world with a large fleet of ten Acclamators and six Venators, commanded by Generals Kenobi, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Luminara Unduli, Skywalker, and Jedi Commanders Tano and Barriss Offee, with the intention of destroying the factory and reclaiming the planet from the Confederacy.

Upon exiting hyperspace, the Acclamators descended to the planet's surface. The Jedi Generals boarded their gunships, and a fleet of carriers deployed All Terrain Tactical Enforcers to the surface. This resulted in the costly destruction of the factory and the capture of Geonosian Archduke Poggle the Lesser by the end of the battle.

Engagement on Saleucami

Some time later, after Separatist forces under the command of Kaleesh Separatist General Grievous captured Jedi Master Eeth Koth aboard his Star Destroyer, the Republic dispatched Generals Kenobi and Skywalker, along with his fleet, to the planet Saleucami. Grievous and his fleet were awaiting their arrival, hoping to rescue General Koth from the Separatists. Despite successfully rescuing Koth from the enemy flagship, Grievous escaped his doomed vessel to the planet's surface, where an Acclamator-class assault ship was sent to deploy Republic ground forces to locate and defeat the Kaleesh general. Despite their efforts, Grievous managed to escape Saleucami and the Republic aboard a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle.

Battles of Kamino and Sullust

Later, the Republic discovered that Kaleesh Separatist General Grievous and Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress were planning a second attack on the cloning planet of Kamino after their first attempt failed earlier in the war. Their goal was to destroy the cloning facilities and shift the war in favor of the Confederacy. In response, the 501st Legion, under Generals Skywalker and Kenobi, deployed to Kamino aboard an Acclamator to reinforce Tipoca City against the attack. The Acclamator later participated in the battle with the Republic's blockade, engaging Grievous's fleet above the planet.

Later in the war, an Acclamator-class assault ship fought alongside Anakin Skywalker's fleet in the Battle of Sullust against Ventress's Separatist fleet. This resulted in the destruction of Skywalker's flagship, the Venator-class Star Destroyer Resolute.

Battle of Umbara

After the government of the planet Umbara seceded from the Republic in 20 BBY, following the death of Senator Mee Deechi, who represented the planet in the Galactic Senate, and aligned with the Confederacy, a Separatist blockade was established. However, a fleet of three Venators and three Acclamators engaged the blockade. This allowed one of the Acclamators to reach the planet's surface after breaking through the blockade, deploying ground forces to engage the native Umbaran combatants.

Action on Kiros and Naboo

Later on the planet Kiros, Separatist forces under Zygerrian Darts D'Nar and Count Dooku arrived and captured all Togruta colonists, transporting them to the planet Kadavo. Shortly after the Separatist invasion, Republic forces under Generals Kenobi and Skywalker arrived and used an Acclamator-class assault ship to deploy ground forces against the Separatist Droid Army.

Some time later on Naboo, Republic forces, aiming to protect Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine from a plot by Separatist Head of State Count Dooku to capture him, dispatched Generals Windu and Skywalker, along with his Padawan, and an Acclamator-class assault ship to Naboo. The ship transported several All Terrain Tactical Enforcers and squads of clone troopers.

Relief mission to Aleen

After a series of devastating groundquakes struck the planet Aleen, the Republic received a distress signal from the native Aleena requesting aid. As a result, Clone Commander Wolffe and the clones of the 104th Battalion were sent with a lone Acclamator-class assault ship and three Pelta-class frigates to deliver relief supplies and install new equipment in their communications center.

Battle of Ringo Vinda

Later in the final year of the war, Republic forces under Generals Skywalker, Tiplar, and Tiplee engaged Separatist forces led by Harch Admiral Trench at the planet Ringo Vinda. The Republic utilized a blockade from the Open Circle Fleet consisting of twenty Venator-class Star Destroyers, an Arquitens-class light cruiser, three Consular-class cruisers and a single Acclamator-class assault ship against Trench's fleet, while the Jedi and their clone forces engaged the Separatist Droid Army on the Ringo Vinda space station.

Action in the Ruusan system

During the war, Republic and Separatist forces fought in the Ruusan system. The Republic's forces, which included at least one Venator, one Acclamator, and at least two Low Altitude Assault Transports, fought against at least one Lucrehulk-class Battleship. Around 3 ABY during the Imperial Era, the Nautolan bounty hunter Nakano Lash hid within the wreckage from the battle.

Age of the Empire

By the time the Imperial Era arrived, the Acclamator-class assault ship was considered outdated. The remains of an Acclamator were left in the Wastelands of Kullgroon. Despite the ship model's age, at least one, the Lodestar, remained active during the Galactic Civil War, serving as the flagship of New Republic General Hera Syndulla's Barma Battle Group.

Behind the scenes

The Acclamator-class transgalactic military assault ship made its debut in the 2002 episodic film, Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. Initially called the "Jedi troop transport," the triangular shape of the starship was designed to be a reference to the Imperial Star Destroyers from the original trilogy. They were formally identified in the 2015 canon reference book, Star Wars: Ships of the Galaxy, written by Benjamin Harper.