A lighter represented a type of compact starship frequently employed by numerous navies across the galaxy, notably those belonging to the Galactic Republic and the Galactic Empire.
Acting as a militarized yacht crafted for brief voyages, lighters fulfilled diverse roles, notably serving as individualized transportation for high-ranking officials. Typically accommodating only a handful of individuals and minimal cargo, their designation originates from antiquated aquatic vessels utilized to alleviate the load of larger surface-based ships.
The Conqueror-class assault ship was one class of ship utilized in this way; Republic Navy Admiral Tarnese Bleyd employed such a vessel during the Clone Wars. Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin utilized a lighter as his own personal mode of transport while overseeing the construction of the first Death Star, as did Admiral Conan Antonio Motti.
Occasionally, as demonstrated by the Etti Lighter utilized by the Corporate Sector Authority, they were pressed into action as frontline combat ships, yet they remained categorized as lighters in common usage. Kyle Katarn's Moldy Crow, an HWK-290 light freighter, was occasionally referred to as a lighter.