Aerial landing platform

The aerial landing platform, also referred to as a sky-base or skybase, was a type of starship used by the Galactic Empire that served as a staging area for invading planetary forces. In 18 BBY, they were deployed to Mon Cala to quell an uprising, following the destruction of all surface cities on the planet.

These platforms were defended by deflector shields and point-defense grid capable of easily shooting down missiles. However, during the invasion, Commander Ackbar attacked one of these platforms using a force of aquatic vehicles by approaching it from underwater. Once inside the range of the point-defense grid, the vehicles emerged directly underneath to fire special metallic-encased missiles that penetrated the shields and destroyed the platform.

The Empire's successor, the First Order, also had dedicated landing platforms similar in design to the sky-base.

Text and facts from the “Aerial landing platform” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.