Frequently referred to as the Corellian gunship, the DP20 gunship, alternatively known as the DP20 frigate, represented one of the limited number of dedicated warship designs originating from the Corellian Engineering Corporation. It also stood as the most ubiquitous variant within the Corellian gunship product family. Despite its diminutive size, this vessel possessed considerable speed and packed substantial firepower relative to its dimensions and classification.
In contrast to its counterpart, the CR90 corvette, this particular gunship offered only a bare minimum of cargo capacity and virtually no provisions for accommodating passengers or troops. The primary design philosophy behind these compact vessels centered on achieving two objectives: exceptional speed and formidable offensive capabilities. The engines occupied almost half of the gunship's internal volume. The remaining limited space was allocated to deflector shield generators and weaponry systems.
Equipped with an arsenal comprising eight double turbolaser cannons, four concussion missile launchers, and six quad laser cannons, the Corellian gunship demonstrated effectiveness against both larger capital ships and starfighters, although its primary role involved engaging the latter. These vessels measured 120 meters in length. Each one required a crew of 45 individuals, supplemented by 46 gunners. They also featured Class 2 hyperdrives.
Initially conceived for the Galactic Republic's naval forces, the DP20 saw widespread service within the fleets of Corellian origin, the Rebel Alliance/New Republic, and was even observed in the hands of independent entities such as pirate organizations and other marginal groups. Furthermore, local Imperial forces also deployed this class. The Rebel Alliance, seeking a compact, high-speed attack craft, opted to procure a selection of these starships after witnessing a band of pirates utilize them to seize an Imperial shipment defended by a contingent of Imperial fighters and bombers. One such vessel met its demise within the Korteen asteroid belt at the hands of Quarg's father and his team of space salvagers.
Roughly twelve months prior to the Battle of Yavin, DP20 frigates formed part of the fleet commanded by the Rebel flagship Salvation during its encounter with the bounty hunter Boba Fett, as well as during its subsequent retaliatory attack on Kamino.
Following the Rebel Alliance's initial triumph against the Galactic Empire, Crimson Jack's crew of pirates utilized a DP20 frigate to repel the TIE complement of a crippled Imperial cruiser in that conflict, which he then appropriated for his own use.
During the Imperial blockade surrounding the Rebel base on the fourth moon of Yavin, DP20 frigates, alongside larger Rebel warships, were integrated into an Alliance fleet led by the smuggler Han Solo through the asteroid corridor to safeguard their supply planet Junction from the Imperial-aligned House of Tagge. While the purported assault served as a diversion to lure in the Rebel fleet and neutralize it using house Chief Scientist Silas Tagge's Omega Frost superweapon, sabotage of the device by the Rebel Luke Skywalker and a breach of comms silence by the Tagges' personnel enabled the Rebel frigates and blockade runners to obliterate the Tagge Mining Explorer. After the evacuation of Yavin, DP20 frigates were among the Rebel fleet deployed to the affluent planet Arrochar in hopes of establishing a new operational center.
Following the Battle of Hoth, the Corellian gunship Loose Cannon was deployed by a group of pirates in a raid targeting the Azzameen family's holdings. By enticing the Azzameens with the prospect of black-market bacta, the Loose Cannon emerged from hyperspace and engaged the Firespray fighter Andrasta and YT-2000 transport Otana. Despite inflicting considerable damage upon the Andrasta, the gunship ultimately succumbed to their combined assault and was consumed by internal combustion.
New Republic captains Afyon and Sarin Virgilio both commenced their careers with the Rebel Alliance aboard Corellian gunships, holding the positions of first and third officers, respectively. Virgilio's gunship had participated in numerous engagements since Hoth, and was responsible for rescuing the six surviving members of a Bothan Spynet involved in the theft of the Death Star II plans.
During the Bakura Incident of 4 ABY, five Corellian gunships—the Ensaiav, Ghorman's Honor, Mastala, Telsor, and Walerv—were integrated into the Rebel task force dispatched to defend the Imperial-controlled planet Bakura from the extra-galactic Ssi-ruuvi Imperium. The Alliance contingent forged a truce with the world's defenders, whose forces included six Corellian gunships of their own, although four were lost during the initial invasion of Bakura.
In 5 ABY, the New Republic Dreadnaught New Hope and hospital ship Mercy included a squadron of Corellian Gunships as part of their protective detail.
DP20 frigates destroyed during the Imperial Civil War remained as wreckage during the Millennium Falcon crew's mission to Coruscant in 10 ABY, while the New Republic stationed the frigates at their stronghold Pinnacle Base on the fifth moon of Da Soocha within the Cyax system, from which they were deployed to engage in the Battle of Calamari. At Pinnacle Base, a DP20 frigate crew reported the arrival of Emperor Palpatine's flagship, and at least one of the frigates was consumed by the Emperor's dark-side Force storm. At least one DP20 frigate relocated to the ancient spaceport Nespis VIII following the destruction of Da Soocha V by the Imperial Galaxy Gun superweapon, fleeing once again when Nespis too was targeted by the weapon.
The gunship's detailed description first appeared in The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook in 1990, but Rebel gunships, visually based on the same concept-art designs, initially featured in the twelfth issue of Marvel's Star Wars comics in 1978. The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia later affirmed these to be Corellian gunships, using an image of one to accompany its "Corellian gunship" entry.
The Isis Coordinates, an adventure module for Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game produced by West End Games, included comprehensive deck plans for a Corellian gunship named Handree.
Prior to the revised edition of Starships of the Galaxy, the common designation for this vessel was "Corellian Gunship." The revised edition introduced the designation DP-20 or DP20. Consequently, the term "Corellian Gunship" evolved into a broader classification.