Core ships, also called Command Spheres, were central sphere modifications of Lucrehulk-class battleship vessels. The Trade Federation utilized these during the Clone Wars for planetary invasions, and Separatist leaders frequently occupied them. These self-governing spheres, measuring 696 meters in diameter, possessed both terrestrial and aerial defenses and had the capacity to transport a large number of B1-series battle droids.
Giant autonomous command vessels of the Trade Federation, known as core ships, were derived from the central spheres of Lucrehulk-class Battleships. These could be separated from, and then reconnected to, the battleship's ring structure. The central diameter of a core ship was 696 meters, equivalent to 2,283 feet. Moreover, the vessel included landing legs that could retract into the hull while traveling through space. A command tower and a sensor antenna were located toward the top of the ship.
A significant number of B1-series battle droids could be transported by core ships. These ships were equipped with both air and land-based defensive systems. During the Clone Wars, the Federation employed core ships for planetary invasions. Furthermore, these vessels frequently served as accommodations for prominent figures of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Core ships utilized circular repulsorlift pits as maintenance areas.
Leading up to and during the First Battle of Geonosis, several core ships were stationed on Geonosis within the Trade Federation landing zones. Dual Hemisphere-Omni Support Vessels, which were supply ships constructed by Hoersch-Kessel Drive Inc. for use by the Confederacy, were created using salvaged core ships. A converted core ship, Skytop Station, functioned as a listening post. A Republic infiltration later resulted in its destruction. In 19 BBY, a modified core ship served as the location for a meeting on Utapau between the Separatist Council and General Grievous, not long before Grievous' final duel with Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Moff Wilhuff Tarkin and Sith Lord Darth Vader spearheaded an Imperial mission to Murkhana in 14 BBY, the fifth year of the Imperial Era. While Tarkin observed from a viewport on the Carrion Spike, distinguishing the core ship repulsorlift pits from bomb craters proved impossible. By 9 BBY, the Primacy's core ship was abandoned on Koboh. The Bedlam Raiders, a band of marauders, established their base there, utilizing the ship's battle droids to bolster their strength. Another Separatist core ship crashed on a sizable asteroid situated outside the Red Honeycomb Zone, eventually becoming the home of Kiza, a former Acolyte of the Beyond. During her duel with Jedi Master Luke Skywalker in 21 ABY, the ship's forge experienced an overload, causing much of Kiza's droid army to melt down and resulting in her death. Nevertheless, the core ship's exterior remained intact and was once again abandoned.