The Shell-cracker prototype was an Imperial R&D starship. It was developed for Operation: Shell-cracker after the Battle of Yavin at The Hammer. The prototype's purpose was to eliminate enemy starships. It had a complex shield structure containing lattice-like ionic energies designed to disrupt particle and ray shields, and deliver a series of bombs against the target. It was subject of a raid by the Alliance Spec Forces. At the time its shield technology was working, but the bombs were not installed.