We were all wondering what that big, chonky ship that Saw Gerrera’s Partisans use in Andor Season 2. It’s a YV-865 Aurore-Class Freighter.
Andor Season 2 is delicious. You should be savoring it, if not finished with the whole meal by now. But one of the crunchier bits of the show is the reappearance of a big chonky, kinda boxy ship as part of Saw Gerrera’s custom X-Wing squad. You might think it looks familiar. And you’d be right, because I can almost guarantee you’ve seen this ship before:
What you’re looking it is a ship that was seen throughout the Clone Wars, though it was considered a bit primitive, even then. These were infamous freighters used by the Zygerrian Slave Empire, who would use the ships to transport their captives. But they were hardly limited to Zygerrian slavers. The YV-865 was used as a general-purpose freighter across the galaxy, from the fleets of the Blanking Clans to the Mining Guild, and even Saw Gerrera‘s Partisans made use of them. Because, what the Aurore-class lacked in style, it made up for with substance.
The YV-865 Aurore-Class Freighter – Design and Capailities
One of the things that made the YV-865 Aurore-Class freighter so widespread in the time leading up to the Clone Wars was its relatively cheap but sturdy construction. Designed by the Corellian Engineering Corporation, the Aurore-class models were surprisingly affordable considering how consistently they performed.
Sure, it “only” boasted a top atmospheric speed of around 900 kph, but for a boxy freighter large enough to hold a blixus or dozens of humanoids (either as a makeshift troop transport or slaves, depending), that’s pretty impressive. And it boasted a Class 1 hyperdrive, making it surprisingly swift when out of atmosphere.
Plus the YV-865 was straightforward. With two thruster engines sitting on articulated boom arms that could fold for extra landing support, a single Aurore-class freighter could be operated by a lone pilot. And that, too, made it ubiquitous in places where skilled pilots were a luxury. Though it could also support a bigger crew, including a co-pilot, engineer, gunners, and an comms operator—making it quite a proficient assault craft with the right modifications.
Speaking of assault craft, hte YV-865 freighter came standard with twin medium laser cannons and a grappling turret. Though the design was blocky enough that it could be retrofitted with all sorts of armaments with a little effort.
The Aurore-Class Freighter – A Patchwork History
The YV-865 Aurore-class freighter, as mentioned before was scattered across the galaxy and has the dubious distinction of being used on both sides of the Clone Wars. During that time, it rose to prominence with the Zygerrian Slave Empire, though. Notably, when Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gupat Roshti, and Rex were captured and taken to Kadavo, they were taken in a YV-865.
But it wasn’t all slaves—the InterGalactic Banking Clan used them at the Cybloc station. And one was known to be home to the Dug known as Preigo and his Travelling World of Wonders, mostly a motley crew of circus acrobats and clowns with the occasional dangerous beast.
Without going too far into spoilers, the Aurore-class freighter plays a role in the events of Andor, Season 2. So know, when you watch the show, that you’re seeing a ship with a storied past – and a future that ends with several models fighting the returned Palpatine and his fleet at Exegol.
May the Force be with you!
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