The GAT-12h Skipray Blastboat like others in the GAT series is hyperdrive capable which allows it to operate independently from larger base vessels. This model in the GAT series was introduced shortly before the debacle at the Battle of Yavin. Its ventral and dorsal stabilizer wings assist the craft's atmospheric flight. When the Skipray switches its wings from landing configuration (parallel to the ground) to flight configuration (perpendicular to the ground), its wings rotate counter-clockwise. Skipray Blastboats are extraordinarily durable for craft their size. Its hull plating is so heavy that most starfighter lasers would have trouble penetrating it, thus making the Skipray impervious to all but the most powerful starfighter armaments. While the Skipray is larger and more powerful than a starfighter, it is small enough to be carried onboard a capital ship. Its incredible weapons array includes capital scale ion cannons which give this assault gunship a reasonable prospect of disabling larger combat vessels.

    When deploying Skiprays, Imperial commanders know that they can send them into the middle of a battle and expect them to return. Skiprays' are employed for point defence, fire support for larger capital ships, system and sector patrols, escort and skirmish line duty, reconnaissance, planetary engagement and bombardment, and light combat. Occasionally, Skiprays' have been employed for courier duty. They are normally deployed in pairs so that they can cover each other. Critics of Imperial starfighter policy have suggested that the Imperial Navy phase out the effective TIE series and replace them with Skipray Blastboats, stating that they would pay dividends, especially since they already come equipped with a limited hyperdrive. However, the Imperial Navy has never really accepted the capital-starfighter hybrid and thus is unlikely to remove the TIE series from service.

    Sienar Fleet Systems marketed this craft with the slogan "Ready. Willing. Able. Skipray." In its advertisement it boasted that the GAT-12h featured boosted power and reconfigured weapon systems, thus making the craft faster, tougher, and more capable. It also mentioned that the GAT-12h was ideally suited for multiple mission profiles including: system patrol, point defence, planetary defence and interdiction; adding that its hyperdrive capability enhanced its versatility. SFS began to sell these craft on the open market after the Empire decided against purchasing the GAT-12h in large quantities. The Skipray is Sienar's second most popular all-around light combat ship that sees use outside of the Imperial Navy. Imperial Customs, Sector Rangers, numerous territorial governments, corporations, mercenaries, pirates and smugglers also make use of this craft.