The Imperial I-class Star Destroyer was a model of Imperial-class Star Destroyer in the service of the Imperial Navy. A wedge-shaped capital ship, it bristled with weapons emplacements, assault troops, boarding craft, and TIE line starfighters. In the era of the Galactic Empire, its command bridge was staffed by the finest crewmen in the navy.

At first, Star Destroyers were deployed to sectors and systems caught in the aftermath of the Clone Wars, where they would crush any signs of sedition. During the Galactic Civil War the Destroyer’s role changed to hunting down high value Rebel targets and bases. They fought in notable battles such as the Battle of Hoth and the Battle of Endor. The Imperial II-class Star Destroyer was a derivative of the Imperial I-class.

The iconic Imperial-class Star Destroyer first appears in the opening scene of Star Wars in 1977, where the Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator, with Darth Vader on board, chases the CR90 Corvette Tantive IV above Tatooine.

Manufactured by Kuat Drive Yards, the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer is described as a technological successor of the Venator-class Jedi cruisers used by the naval forces of the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars.

Ever wanted to see how an Imperial-class Star Destroyer actually works? Here is a deeper dive inside an Imperial Star Destroyer. A technical 3D animation showcasing the power behind a Star Destroyer.

But also learn how this Star Wars capital ship works and why it’s considered one of the most iconic spaceships in the Star Wars saga.

They were nonetheless essential in the Imperial doctrine of planetary containment and fast infantry deployment, and the vessel was noted as one of the most resource-intensive ships in the Imperial Navy.