Victory-class Star Destroyer Mark I

Designed by Walex Blissex and produced by Rendili StarDrive, the Victory-class was a direct challenge to Kuat Drive Yards' proposed Venator-class Star Destroyer. The design-project was called the "Victor Initiative Project" and became a collaboration between the two rival shipbuilders, resulting in the Victory-series.

The design came about when the Galactic Republic's military saw a need for heavier starships, as fighting intensified towards the end of the Clone Wars. Victory I-class Star Destroyers were deployed to defend Sector 0 against the Techno Union's fleet of Bulwark-class Mark I battlecruisers, which had escaped the blockade of Foerost. This resulted in the deployment of the "Victory Fleet" six months ahead of schedule.

The Victory was officially commissioned into service as the Clone Wars were drawing to a close. Consequently, though these ships saw little action during the wars, they formed the bulk of the Imperial Navy for years following. For a time it seemed these vessels would be replaced by the larger, newer Imperator-class Star Destroyer, but since the Battle of Endor those plans were scrapped and the Victory has continued to serve in the defense of the Galactic Empire.

The Victory-class Star Destroyer carries out three standard mission types: planetary defense, planetary assault and troop support, and ship-to-ship combat. It is much better at the first two than the latter. One of this vessel's most powerful advantages is its ability to enter the upper levels of a planet's atmosphere - something the newer Imperator-class Star Destroyer cannot do. This permits precision ground attacks and the pursuit of smaller craft hoping to escape by diving toward a planet.

The Victory Class vessel's main deficiency is its slow sublight speed. However, it does have rapid hyperspace capabilities and can make jumps quickly. To augment its slow speed, the Victory carries two TIE Fighter squadrons.

The Victory has found its way into many other navies over the years, most notably the Corporate Sector Authority, which bought 250 of the ships.

Information courtesy of Wookieepedia and the Imperial Navy Ship Database.