The Lambda-class Shuttle is used for transporting cargo as well as passengers to planets, starships, star docks, different fleets and systems. This makes it difficult for Rebel raiding forces to determine if the shuttle is carrying mere cargo or important Imperial Officials. The Lambda Shuttle was originally designed by Sienar Fleet Systems. SFS manufactures the shuttles, while Cygnus Spaceworks is subcontracted to manufacture a more heavily armed version. However, recently Cygnus Spaceworks has begun to produce a most lightly armed version of the shuttle that are virtually identical to the SFS model. The shuttle's armament allows the Lambda to travel without military escort. Also, its multiple shield generators and its heavily reinforced hull adds to this shuttle's survivability. On top of that, the shuttle has unusually powerful shields.

    In flight this shuttle looks like an inverted Y, when landing, the lower wings fold up. Of all the of the shuttles in the Imperial Fleet, perhaps the most distinctive is this shuttle. It is also become the mainstay of Imperial government transportation. While the shuttle is generally best suited to space travel, atmospheric flight is made more stable by the ship's three huge wing surfaces. The Lambda Shuttle only needs two landing gear, which is the unusual feature of this shuttle. This is so since its powerful but heavy power core and hyperdrive motivator act like another landing gear. The power core and hyperdrive motivator ride squarely atop of the ship's legwells. For boarding and for debarking, a ramp telescopes from the lower forward fuselage, just beneath the cockpit.

    Many government officials use the Lambda Shuttle for personal transport owing to their combination of combat worthiness and the large interior cargo area which could be converted to passenger space. The shuttle often carries only one or two persons in more luxurious conditions. The Emperor's personal shuttle is believed to be equipped with a cloaking device. Also it is known that the Emperor's top aides, military officers and operatives, Lord Darth Vader and the Grand Inquisitor have access to specially equipped shuttles that have a secured HoloNet transceivers, allowing instantaneous communication with Coruscant from any point in the Empire.

    Unfortunately, the Lambda-class Shuttle is also used by the Rebellion. They use the shuttle for attacks on Imperial ships, rescue of ejected Rebel pilots, transport, escape and capture operations. The Rebels paint their terrorist symbol on both sides of the dorsal fin of the Lambda-class Shuttle to distinguish them from Lambda Shuttles in use by the Empire.