Also known as the SS-54 light assault gunship, this rugged and simple-to-maintain vessel was originally conceived and designed by Botajef Shipyards as their first foray into the military market. Prizing reliability and ease-of-repair over flashy design, the SS-54 Assault Ship utilized as many off-the-shelf components as possible, meaning it is easy to support, even for planetary defense forces far from the Core worlds. The ship’s main hull is shaped like a comma, or stylized teardrop, with the cockpit and main armament, as well as the crew quarters concentrated in the bulbous bow section. A wide viewport allows the pilot and gunner excellent forward view. The crew access the ship through large hatches on either side of the hull, which provide rapid egress in case of emergencies, as well as enabling any embarked marines to disembark quickly. The ship’s above-average maneuverability and forward armament of four laser cannons means that the ship is a dangerous opponent in a dogfight, while the dual-laser cannon armed turret on the dorsal surface of the aft section provides a sting in the tail.

Propulsion in normal space is provided by two powerful Incom HA-980a H/O ion engines, each mounted on an amidships spar on either side of the fuselage. The engines are capable of ninety degree rotation to the vertical, and provide landing and take off capability, eliminating the need for repulsorlift modules. The ship has modest hyperdrive capability, adding to its utility, and the ship has become a favorite of mercenaries, bounty hunters and criminals all over the galaxy. The only thing that prevents the SS-54 from widespread use is the relatively small production run from Botajef Shipyards before the company was forced to downsize and sell off its military-oriented assets. However, copies of the blueprints for the SS-54 are known to be in the hands of several independent shipyards in the Outer Rim and the ship shows up occasionally in pirate hands throughout the galaxy.