The C-9979 landing craft, also known by the names Trade Federation landing ship and Separatist landing craft, represented a sizable troop transport manufactured by Haor Chall Engineering for the Trade Federation's military, and subsequently utilized by the Confederacy of Independent Systems. As the Trade Federation began its military build-up, Haor Chall Engineering developed the design for a landing craft intended to move troops and ground vehicles from capital ships to the surface of planets.
The C-9979's design was intentionally similar to the commercial barges utilized by the Federation's trade fleets. The vessel featured four wings, boasting a total wingspan of 370 meters. These wings were designed to be detachable for ease of storage within the confines of large battleships. When in operation, the wings were secured to the main body via powerful tensor fields. The immense weight of the cargo carried within the wings exceeded the capacity of even the strongest metal alloys, necessitating the use of tensor fields for structural support.
Maintenance and repair facilities were situated along the leading edges of the wings, providing support for the embarked assault forces, with a particular focus on battle droids requiring post-combat repairs. The wing mounts were connected to the fuselage by forward tensor fields, while additional wing-mounted tensor fields prevented the wings from collapsing under stress.
These wings were structured to accommodate vehicles secured in garage channels, optimizing cargo capacity. Each wing could transport 11 MTTs for frontline troop deployment, 28 PACs for deploying troops slightly behind the front lines, and 114 AATs for armored support. Upon deployment, repulsor tracks guided the vehicles to a staging platform. The repulsor tracks were essential because the maneuvering equipment on board lacked the precision required to navigate the tight confines of the garage zones without causing damage. At the staging area, the vehicles were rotated into position and secured by transport clamps, which moved them to the rear and down the deployment ramp located at the base of the landing craft.
Furthermore, C-9979 landing craft could also function as carriers, capable of transporting Scarab droid starfighters or bombers. One such carrier, operating alongside Vana Sage in the Eos system, was outfitted with a hyperdrive.
Due to its substantial cargo capacity, the landing craft possessed significant antigravity lifting capabilities. The craft was typically crewed and operated by B1-Series battle droids. Landing craft were stored within the hangars of warships, where they underwent assembly, maintenance, and repairs. Prior to deployment, they were loaded with ground vehicles. To prevent structural strain and facilitate vehicle maintenance, landing craft were consistently stored in an unloaded state.
During the Invasion of Naboo, the Trade Federation employed numerous C-9979 landing craft to transport troops and equipment to key cities on Naboo. Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi infiltrated the planet aboard one such craft. The landing craft were deployed in formations of three to isolate cities from each other.
Two carriers were assigned to defend Nod Kartha, but they met their end during the [Battle of Nod Kartha],(/article/battle_of_nod_kartha) succumbing to the Lok Revenants' assault on the Trihexalon factory.
Prior to the Separatist Crisis, in 29 BBY, the Galactic Republic deployed a trio of C-9979 landing crafts to the living planet Zonoma Sekot in a coordinated assault after reports emerged of a previous battle against Zonama Sekot involving unknown combatants and the planet's production of unusual living starfighters. These landing crafts were stationed on the Republic Captor-class heavy munitions cruiser Admiral Korvin, under the command of Captain Kett and acting on the orders of Raith Sienar and Commander Wilhuff Tarkin. Shortly after engaging Zonoma Sekot, the living planet retreated from the Republic's attack into the Unknown Regions.
During the Clone Wars, the Trade Federation's allegiance to the Confederacy of Independent Systems led to the utilization of these landing craft to transport troops and equipment from orbiting Lucrehulk-class battleships, and other large Separatist vessels, to battlefields such as Rhen Var and Thule. Three of these landing crafts were secured to the undersides of Recusant-class light destroyers for transport.
They saw further deployment during Confederate campaigns on planets like Teth and Rugosa.
One landing craft was present on Maridun when Lok Durd tested a new Separatist weapon. This particular ship was equipped with a mobile command center, a modular base that could be disassembled and reassembled, fitting neatly within the landing craft's cargo hold.
Later in the war, during the massacre on Dathomir, General Grievous, acting under the orders of Count Dooku, dispatched a Separatist landing craft carrying a substantial droid army to the planet. Upon landing, the craft deployed battle droids and AATs. This droid force swiftly eliminated the small group of Nightsisters present.
During the Battle of Coruscant, numerous C-9979 landing ships participated in the assault on the Republic's capital world, which resulted in the abduction of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. These ships unloaded hundreds of millions of battle droids onto the planet. Some of these landing craft were destroyed by Yoda through his use of the Force.
These ships were also used by an invasion force on Kashyyyk during the Battle of Kashyyyk. They were seemingly camouflaged with netting upon initial deployment.
The C-9979 landing craft first appeared in the Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace novelization.
Early concepts for the landing ship involved dirigible-like transports that ejected carried craft from cocoon-like sockets. Doug Chiang's final design, however, drew inspiration from dragonflies. George Lucas appreciated the design's resemblance to an old biplane and approved its development.