A predecessor to the popular and successful Firespray Patrol Craft, the S40K Phoenix Hawk-class Light Pinnace is a transport freighter designed by Kuat Systems Engineering (KSE) prior to the advent of the Clone Wars. KSE set out with the noble goal to building a ship that would be affordable by all, cheap to produce, and able to travel great distances. The resulting design was that of the Phoenix Hawk.

Ungainly in appearance and stripped of most amenities that would make long distance travel comfortable, the Phoenix Hawk was certainly an affordable option for most sentients when first produced. The cabin is very cramped and the cockpit isn't much roomier, which makes traveling with the full crew of six personnel very uncomfortable; those who could afford a more comfortable means of travel avoided purchasing the S40K. However, KSE did incorporate an 'engines-down' landing system, which allows the it to fly in more of an upright position, and, by not using hull space for secondary landing thrusters, frees up additional cargo room.

Basic defensive weaponry and moderate armor make the S40K an effective 'light' pinnace. It comes equipped with a superior set of sensors, ion cannons and heavy lasers, giving the ship a well-rounded set of capabilities to handle unexpected dangers.

While it was once a common sight through out the galaxy the S40K Phoenix Hawk-class has drifted into obscurity. The ship's shared pedigree with the Firespray earns it a place in the docking bays of nostalgic private collectors, but it is an adequate small personnel transport and scouting vessel and as such has received continued use in some of the more backwater quarters of the galaxy.