The Tector-class Star Destroyer represented a specific type of Star Destroyer that served both the Galactic Republic and, later, the Galactic Empire.
This warship, shaped like a dagger, stretched approximately 1.6 kilometers in length. It was fundamentally a modified version of the Imperial-class of the era, but crucially lacked the characteristic ventral hangars. Instead of incorporating ventral hangar bays, the design prioritized increased armor plating. This armor covered the areas where the main hangar openings and the reactor core would typically be located.
This design choice enhanced its effectiveness in direct ship-to-ship engagements by reducing vulnerabilities to internal systems. However, this came at the cost of versatility in other operational roles. Lacking internal hangars, it was reliant on dedicated carriers to provide essential starfighter support.
The Tector-class was initially manufactured by Kuat Drive Yards during the Clone Wars. Alongside the Imperator-class, it stood as one of the largest warship classes deployed by the Republic during the conflict. In the early stages of the war, production of the Tector-class was limited to allow for testing and evaluation before committing to full-scale manufacturing. One such vessel, named Gibbon, suffered sabotage by Separatist agents, who infected its systems with a computer virus while it was stationed at Handooine. Consequently, the Gibbon participated in the Battle of Salvara. The virus propagated throughout the task force, causing ships to inadvertently lower their shields within a certain range of the enemy, resulting in a decisive Republic defeat. This incident, along with others, caused delays in the Tector-class production, and the ships only participated in a select few task forces during the war. On one occasion, three Tector-class Star Destroyers, supported by several TIE fighters, formed part of an Imperial Office of Customs blockade.
Another Tector-class Star Destroyer that saw action during the Clone Wars was the Archer. In the years following the establishment of the Galactic Empire, the Tector-class, along with the related Imperial-class design, gradually replaced the less resilient Venator-class, leading to the latter's removal from frontline service. The Tector-class remained in Imperial service for several decades. Three of these warships were present at the pivotal Battle of Endor in 4 ABY, with one being destroyed by Rebel fire.
The Tector-class Star Destroyer was first formally mentioned in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections. The design inspiration originated from a ship briefly visible in Return of the Jedi.
During the Battle of Endor, the Millennium Falcon was observed flying beneath a warship lacking the two ventral hangars typically found on Imperial-class Star Destroyers. Furthermore, armored plating concealed the reactor bulb, making it invisible. Other sources, such as the Return of the Jedi novelization, corroborated the idea that the Millennium Falcon indeed flew over the underside of a ship without ventral hangars. The concept art presented in this book aligns with the scene in the film, with the text accurately reflecting the dialogue and action present in both the film and the novelization.
On February 6th, 2007, Leland Chee verified on the Official Message Board that the hangarless ship seen fleetingly in Return of the Jedi was, in fact, a Tector-class Star Destroyer.
According to the University of Notre Dame's online Latin Dictionary and Grammar Aid, the term "Tector" translates to "a plasterer." However, the suffix "-tor" can be appended to the stems of masculine verbs to form nouns. The Latin verb tectus conveys meanings such as "decked," "covered," "defended," and "guarded." Therefore, in Latin, tector could also signify "one who is guarded," "one who is defended," or "one who is decked/armored," and is not limited solely to denoting a plasterer or stucco-worker.