Heraklon-class transport

The Heraklon-class transport was a frigate-type transport starship that was widely used by the Galactic Republic during the time of the Dark Wars. Typically used as a cargo freighter, its versatility allowed for a broad use as a passenger liner especially in the Core Worlds and Inner Rim.

In 3951 BBY, the sales reputation of the Heraklon-class transport sank, as one of the ships was shot down above Onderon during the planet's blockade amid the Onderon Civil War and crashed on the moon Dxun. However, changes in the ship's advertising to a focus on safety in case of an accident guaranteed the continued production of the Heraklon-class.

Characteristics
The Heraklon-class transport was a frigate-type transport starship. As it was easy to use and very versatile, it saw use in a number of different functions. It had a simple construct, leaving the entire front part of the ship for crew quarters and cargo, and placing the engineering section and ship systems in the narrow tail. The cargo holds took up the majority of space inside the transport, and they could be modified to carry specialized cargoes of livestock. The passenger accommodation could also be modified to carry 450 people with three-tier bunk rooms, or just 150 in luxury rooms. A number of Heraklon-class transports were even purchased by various travel companies for use as luxury liners. Heraklon-class transports were built without any weapon systems fitted, so as to reduce production costs. This forced trader captains to avoid traveling outside of secure routes typically found near the Core Worlds, traveling in larger groups and thus essentially forming a caravan, or to hire an armed escort to provide security against pirates and other outlaws.

Role
Due the versatility of the Heraklon-class transport ships, they saw a wide range of use. In the galaxy, most typically these ships were used as cargo freighters. In the Core Worlds and Inner Rim, they usually were configured to carry passengers as a liner or even as a cruiser. The Heraklon-class transports also saw use in the hands of smugglers and pirates, who benefited from the myriad of pockets that could be found in the ship. Pirates often modified the central section of the ship to have concealed hangars for small fighters so as to ambush unsuspecting merchant vessels traveling too close to the pirates' claimed territory.