The JV-7 Delta-class escort shuttle, commonly referred to as the escort shuttle, functioned as an armed personnel transport and was built by Cygnus Spaceworks.
As a variant branching from the Lambda-class lineage, the JV-7 was engineered to address certain deficiencies present in the original Lambda design. This vessel showcased an elevated maximum velocity, alongside enhanced agility. Furthermore, it possessed a shield system with a 20% increase in power and a significantly more robust hull compared to its Lambda-class predecessor.
A double turbolaser emplacement, covering the rearward firing range, made pursuit of this vessel exceptionally risky. Similar to the related Sentinel-class landing craft, the JV-7 was also outfitted with a pair of concussion missile launchers.
Records indicate the initial deployment of this class occurred around the period of the Battle of Hoth.
High-ranking Imperial officers displayed a preference for the JV-7 over the Lambda-class, notably when traversing contested territories. Beyond its role in personnel conveyance, the JV-7 was frequently assigned to escort missions, thus acquiring its "escort shuttle" designation.
Mirroring the fate of numerous vessels within the Imperial Navy, the JV-7 eventually came into the possession of the Rebels and various pirate factions. The Mugaari utilized them, as did opposing forces in the Sepan Civil War. Even the Duskhan League employed them during their oppressive rule.
One particular escort shuttle fell under the control of the Imperial remnant group known as the "hard-liners", who were stationed on the planetoid RZ7-6113-23. The bounty hunter Kir Kanos commandeered this shuttle during his escape from the hard-liners' ship's armory.
By 23 ABY, Delta-class shuttles formerly belonging to the Empire were being dismantled by the New Republic. Han Solo obtained a hyperdrive from a vessel of this type on Coruscant and gifted it to his daughter Jaina at the Jedi Praxeum. Subsequently, Qorl, an Imperial pilot stranded on Yavin 4, used it to flee aboard his TIE/LN starfighter.
In video games featuring the Delta-class, the capabilities of the Lambda-class were diminished. It lacks the potent rear turret, possesses reduced armor and shields, and exhibits a lower speed compared to the Delta. Conversely, the Delta has appeared infrequently outside of the game environment.
Although Kir Kanos pilots a Delta-class JV-7 escort shuttle in Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost 3, it is depicted as a Nu-class attack shuttle in Empire Lost 4.