Core ships, also known as Lucrehulk-class modular control cores or LH-1740, represented a modified version of the Lucrehulk-class modular control core. These vessels served as autonomous transports for the Trade Federation, and subsequently the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars. They were also utilized by Separatist holdouts throughout the Imperial Era.
While they functioned as independent spacecraft, core ships retained the capability to reconnect to the outer hull ring of a Lucrehulk-class battleship, allowing them to resume their role as command centers. The modular construction of these spherical ships also facilitated their attachment to various other Federation vessel designs, including cruisers, destroyers, tankers, and cargo carriers.
The organizational structure of living spaces within a core ship mirrored the social hierarchy of Neimoidian hives. The upper pole and towers of the core ship housed the command bridges, executive suites, and treasuries. Junior managers, publicists, and droid storage were relegated to the lower levels. In certain models, a large portion of the hull above the ship's equator served as an expansive hangar bay and flight deck.
The lowest levels were dedicated to engineering sectors and conference rooms, areas typically avoided by high-ranking Trade Federation officials. These officials preferred to delegate the less desirable and challenging tasks of interacting with outsiders or managing complex equipment to droids.
Designed with planetary landing capabilities, core ships featured substantial repulsorlift suspensor units on their ventral side. Complementing these units was a ventral ion-thruster, enabling rapid liftoff and orbital escape. The core ship also incorporated numerous landing legs, although the landing gear required repulsorlift assistance to sustain the hull in a launch-ready position for extended periods.
The standard core ship variant was a transport, armed only with point-defense laser cannons, intended for logistical support across the galaxy. Its command tower featured a sensor array, stylistically similar to the sensor globes found on later Star Destroyer models.
The core module design had been in existence for at least a century by 22 BBY, experiencing minimal alterations during that time. However, following the Invasion of Naboo, the Galactic Republic mandated the Trade Federation to dismantle its military. The Trade Federation feigned compliance, ostensibly disassembling its battleships, but instead transformed their centrispheres into Lucrehulk-class core ships.
During the First Battle of Geonosis, core ships successfully evacuated vast numbers of battle droids from the planet's foundries amidst the Republic's offensive. Throughout the Clone Wars, they served as transports for military supplies and personnel to numerous planets. During that battle, some core ships were shot down by Republic SPHA-T walkers.
Near the conclusion of the Battle of Geonosis, a squad of clone commandos successfully boarded a crippled core ship and obtained its launch codes. This action prevented further Separatist ships from escaping the planet.
Throughout the Clone Wars, core ships underwent improvements and alterations, leading to diverse internal and external configurations. Some variants were modified for combat, becoming destroyers equipped with heavy weaponry and swarms of droid starfighters capable of challenging the Republic's medium capital ships.
In 21 BBY, the Separatist force deployed to secure Spaarti Creations on Cartao consisted of a core ship accompanied by three C-9979 landing craft and approximately five thousand battle droids.
Later in the Clone Wars, a vessel of this class, the Gahenna, engaged in an orbital battle above Honoghr and subsequently crashed onto the planet. Two additional core ships participated in the Battle of Rendili, proving to be equal opponents for two Acclamator-class assault ships. However, when a third Acclamator and five Dreadnaught-class cruisers from the Rendili Home Defense Fleet reinforced the battle, the two core ships were destroyed.
At least one core ship, the Unlimited Projection, was adapted for long-term planetary deployment on Utapau, functioning as a semi-permanent surface base and the headquarters of General Grievous. Another core ship was abandoned on Geonosis during the Galactic Civil War.
Following the Clone Wars, the remaining Lucrehulk battleships and core ships were sold to the Corporate Sector Authority and wealthy merchants.