A Citadel-class cruiser docking with a platform
Designed in response to increasing fears among the wealthy that star travel was no longer safe, the Citadel found a wide following among diplomatic parties, wealthy merchants and business owners, and mid-level military officers who were looking for a capable and defensible craft, but who couldn't afford a capital ship.
Citadels were introduced during the last years of the Galactic Republic with their popularity peaking during the Clone Wars before waning during the Galactic Civil War. By the time of the Rebellion Citadels were no longer common luxury craft, and many had been repurposed as minor warships by Rebels, the Corporate Sector Authority, pirates, and freebooters.
The Citadel was a small and relatively fast vessel possessing a broad, flat hull that sported two long vertical stabilizers port and starboard, with a shorter stabilizer mounted center that housed the ship's transponder and comms array. The forward hull section housed the bridge and living quarters for the crew, with cabins and accommodations behind for passengers.
Due to Koensayr's focus on defense, the Citadel was a rugged and durable craft that was heavily armored and incorporated heavy military-grade shielding. As a result, the Citadel quickly gained a reputation for being able to take immense amounts of damage before failing, with it being quite common for Citadels to be rebuilt even after being virtually destroyed in battle. In addition to their defensive abilities, Citadels were exceedingly well armed with stock heavy weapons, a powerful KM-440.a1 reactor, and external docking clamps mounted ventrally amidships that could easily carry a pair of starfighters.
Due to the Citadel's durability, it wasn't unusual for the vessel to go through multiple owners and multiple functions over its operation; a Citadel could often have a mix of military hardware, smuggling compartments, council rooms and meeting chambers, and even faded murals painted on the bulkheads.
One notable Citadel-class cruiser was The Long Scale, owned by the Trandoshan mercenary Ssorku.
The earliest image of a Citadel, showing docking via cofferdam.
Of notable debate is how exactly the Citadel lands on solid ground, due to its three large stabilizers. To date, all images of the Citadel show it docking at hovering platforms or through docking armatures; perhaps suggesting that ground landing is not possible. This would be similar to some ships and their restriction to mooring towers Alternately, the stabilizers may rotate and fold upwards, similar to such craft as the V-19 Torrent starfighter.
- Starships of the Galaxy
- Starships of the Galaxy, Saga Edition
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Galaxy at War
- Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Core Rulebook