An Upsilon-class command shuttle, sometimes shortened to Upsilon-class shuttle or known as a First Order Command Shuttle, functioned as a versatile transport vehicle. The First Order employed it as an armored shuttle for transporting important dignitaries and high-ranking military officers. Equipped with dual heavy laser cannons and sophisticated sensor arrays, the Upsilon-class shuttle possessed the capability to monitor and analyze enemy communications, enabling it to effectively steer clear of hostile engagements. Drawing inspiration from decades of Imperial shuttle designs, it resembled the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle, but was enhanced with potent technologies resulting from acquiring leading scientists after the collapse of the Old Empire.
The Upsilon-class command shuttle was a transport that stood 37.2 meters in height with its wings fully extended. It offered space for a crew of up to five individuals, along with a dedicated passenger area accommodating ten occupants. The lower wings of the craft provided protection to the crew cabin from enemy fire during takeoff and landing—the most vulnerable time for the craft. The ships were equipped with four landing gears, two repulsorlift systems, a single ramp, and landing lights, facilitating the loading and unloading of personnel and cargo in diverse environments.
Propulsion was achieved through two substantial SJFS-200a sublight ion engines, and like most spacecraft, it incorporated an internal hyperdrive. A warp vortex stabilizer was specifically integrated to facilitate smoother transitions into and out of hyperspace.
A defining attribute of the Upsilon-class shuttle was its sophisticated sensor arrays and a design geared toward military applications, setting it apart from purely recreational or luxurious starships. The shuttle incorporated comprehensive sensor suites within its upper wings, while the lower wings housed efficient shield projectors and sensor jammers, augmented by a jammer modulation node. The primary sensor node was located in the upper wing, along with several passive sensors and a long-range scanning array. Furthermore, a heat sink was included to prolong the operational life of the sensor systems. For communication purposes, a subspace communications antenna and hyperwave comm scanner were installed within the craft's upper wings.
During landing, the ship's wings would rotate upwards and retract to half their flight height, shielding the sensitive long-range sensor arrays of the upper wings within the protective durasteel armor of the ship. Robust gears and shock springs further safeguarded the sensors and wing structure from potential damage, particularly when the shuttle's wings were extended during flight to maximize sensor coverage.
To manage the ship's large wings, various mechanical processes were implemented to enable extension and retraction. A large wing retraction gear was situated within the lower wing, with a wing retraction servo well positioned further up the wing. Above this, a wing retraction receiving rack and locking mechanism secured the wings in their extended position, alongside retracting upper stabilizers. Wing collapse shock springs were installed below the wing retraction gear as a safety measure against hard landings, minimizing potential damage to delicate machinery.
In terms of offensive capabilities, the shuttle was equipped with two L-s10.2 twin heavy laser cannons powered by laser cannon charge cells. While its firepower was limited, the ship typically operated with an escort of TIE/fo space superiority fighter or TIE/sf space superiority fighter, compensating for its offensive shortcomings. In the event of isolation, the craft featured powerful deflector shield generators, supported by front and rear deflector shield projector arrays integrated into the wings. Moreover, a countermeasure system designed to intercept incoming guided projectiles was incorporated into the upper wing assembly, along with dual static discharge vanes to mitigate the risk of lightning or electrical strikes. The ship was also engineered to detect and evade enemy contact through its advanced sensor systems, but if this failed, a sensor jammer could prevent enemy vessels from summoning reinforcements.
For the sake of crew safety, a red external warning light would illuminate to indicate that the ship's upper wing sensors were active and that radiation levels might be hazardous.
The Upsilon-class command shuttle emerged from clandestine research initiatives undertaken by First Order scientists hidden within the Unknown Regions of the galaxy, as they planned their resurgence to power. Designs were heavily influenced by Galactic Empire shuttles, for example, the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle.
Thirty years following the Battle of Endor, Kylo Ren famously employed an Upsilon-class command shuttle during his quest to locate Luke Skywalker. He utilized it to transport himself, Gideon Hask, and a squad of stormtroopers to Pillio. He then used the craft to arrive at an attack on a Jakku village. Later, it transported Kylo Ren to the Battle of Takodana. Ren's shuttle subsequently acted as his mobile command center during the Battle of Crait. Besides Ren, First Order officers like Commander Pyre, Major Stridan, and Lieutenant Dormitz also utilized these shuttles.