The C-9979 landing craft, alternatively known as the Trade Federation landing ship, functioned as a substantial transport starship. It saw usage by both the Trade Federation and, subsequently, the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The selection of this vessel was made by the Trade Federation armaments committee. This elegantly designed transport, the C-9979, was a product of the Haor Chall Engineering Corporation and its operations were governed by a central computer system. A single C-9979 possessed the capacity to bring an entire vulnerable world under control.
Serving as a heavily armed transport for multiple vehicles and troops, the C-9979 landing craft was employed by the Trade Federation and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Its purpose was to deploy invasion armies onto planets targeted for occupation, or to launch major offensives against formidable enemy forces. Adhering to the Federation's emphasis on automation, the craft was operated by a minimal crew of droids. These droids were stationed in the topside control center, managed the Control Ship signal reception antennas, operated the ship's weapons located on the wingtips and hull, and maintained repair shops. They also oversaw the maintenance bays where individual B1-series battle droids underwent realignment following each engagement.
With the exception of the wingtips, which housed the tensor field generators and anti-gravity stabilizers, the entire interior volume of the C-9979 was dedicated to the storage of vehicles and troopers. Hundreds of Multi-Troop Transports, Armored Assault Tanks, and Platoon Attack Crafts were accommodated in specialized garages supported by tensor fields within the wings. Additionally, a limited number were positioned in battle-ready states behind the primary deployment doors. Upon touching down in a designated landing zone, perimeter field sensors located on the main doors would scan the adjacent area to identify potential hazards to the troop contingent, such as land mines. Once the area was deemed safe, the doors would open, allowing the drop ramp to be extended. As the initial combat units (typically MTTs accompanied by two AATs each) began exiting the craft, the repulsor tracks integrated into the staging garages were activated. These tracks guided the vehicles from their storage locations to a staging area situated directly above the main gate. This assistance was necessary due to the limited maneuverability of the larger vehicles within the C-9979's confined internal tunnels. From the staging area, specialized transport clamps lowered the vehicles into the exit tunnel, while their onboard repulsors were activated to facilitate their departure from the landing craft and commencement of operations. Due to the complexity of this procedure, deploying a full complement of vehicles and troops from a C-9979 could require as much as 45 minutes.
Given its considerable size, the C-9979 underwent disassembly following each mission. This involved detaching the wings and storing them separately to alleviate undue stress on the connections between the body and wings. When needed, the wings were reattached to the body using specialized tensor fields, which prevented sagging or breakage during flight.
During the Invasion of Naboo, the Trade Federation made extensive use of these landing craft to deploy their [Droid Army](/article/trade_federation_droid_army], which included Multi-Troop Transports.
As part of the Separatist campaign to enlist the planet of [Toydaria](/article/toydaria] to their cause, Sith apprentice Asajj Ventress, accompanied by a full battalion of droids, arrived on the planet aboard a C-9979 landing craft.
During the Republic invasion of Ryloth, the ship saw action at some point, with several being destroyed.
During the Battle of Mon Cala, a C-9979 landing craft was deployed to transport eight Hydroid Medusas attached beneath its wings from the planet of Karkaris.
After Mother [Talzin](/article/talzin] employed Nightsisters magick on the Sith Lord Count Dooku, he dispatched General Grievous and the Separatist Droid Army to [Dathomir](/article/dathomir] with the aim of eliminating the Nightsisters. C-9979 landing craft deployed a significant number of droids, along with defoliator tanks, resulting in the slaughter of all Nightsisters except for Talzin and Ventress. Ventress, having been cast out by her former master Dooku, managed to escape the conflict.
According to the Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles, the C-9979 landing craft measures 210 meters in length. Previously, the databank and the StarWars.com Encyclopedia indicated a wingspan of 149 meters. However, visual evidence suggests that the wingspan exceeds the vessel's length from bow to stern. It remains unclear whether the Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles refers to wingspan or bow-to-stern length.
The Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles also states that the C-9979 landing craft has a capacity of up to 361 battle droids. Conversely, the 2019 source book Rise of the Separatists claims that the C-9979 can accommodate up to 2,500 battle droids and droidekas, depending on its configuration. Given that Rise of the Separatists is the more recent source, this article assumes its accuracy.