The HWK-290 light freighter represented a specific model of light freighter. These were produced by the Corellian Engineering Corporation several decades before the Invasion of Naboo. Although its sales were only moderate, it remained in service throughout the Galactic Civil War. The target demographic for this vessel was affluent executives and high-ranking government personnel.
This particular light freighter, the HWK-290, was a compact, unarmed transport. It was designed for operation by a single pilot and co-pilot, with capacity for two additional passengers. Its design featured an angular fuselage, shaped like a dagger, and two wings positioned towards the rear quarter of the hull. While its armor was light, it boasted considerable speed and a high degree of customizability. The HWK-290 primarily functioned as a freighter for valuable goods or as a courier. However, with modifications, it could also function as a heavy starfighter. This involved adding weaponry, such as a proton torpedo launcher and heavy laser cannons.
The Corellian Engineering Corporation engineered the HWK-290 light freighter in the decades leading up to the Invasion of Naboo. It was intended for wealthy business leaders and government officials. While the HWK-290 was well-regarded by its owners, it never achieved the widespread popularity of the YT-series and production was discontinued during the Clone Wars. Despite this, numerous HWK-290s remained operational well into the era of the Galactic Civil War.
During the reign of the Galactic Empire, Tryphon Leo, a Volpai smuggler, obtained Maz Kanata's Smuggler's Guide. Using the knowledge within the book, he formulated a plan to create a smuggling fleet composed of HWK-290s, YT-series freighters, and barges. Gamut Key, the Imperial-appointed Provincial Governor of the planet Kaller, possessed a HWK-290. He utilized it to transport Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger to Moraga.
Many HWK-290s were modified by the Alliance to Restore the Republic to deliver incendiary bombs during the Undead Troopers invasion, demonstrating their effectiveness against ground troops. The Rebellion employed at least one of these ships for the insertion and extraction of agents in covert missions; one such ship was named the Moldy Crow. One HWK-290 freighter was impounded at the Imperial Impound Yard on Novka when it came under attack by a rebel team.
The HWK-290 freighter made its debut in the new Star Wars canon with "The Sickness," a limited-time campaign in Star Wars: Commander. This mobile game, published by Disney Interactive, launched on August 21, 2014. The design originated in Star Wars: Dark Forces, a 1995 Star Wars Legends First-Person Shooter developed and published by LucasArts.