XQ Platform series

The XQ Platform series were a group of quick construction space installations produced by multiple companies including Bengel Shipbuilders, Telgorn Corporation, and Xizor Transport Systems.

Description
The XQ series was armed with six laser cannons, two at the corners of each docking platform. There were also three twin turbolaser turrets, either mounted on the top of each of the hangars, or on the central hub of the space station if that happened to overshadow the hangars. Newer platforms (XQ3 to XQ6) often mounted an additional three turrets, for a total of six, on the underside of the hub as this is a common blind spot in older designs.[1]

The central hub of the Platform contained communication antennae and the conning tower or bridge.

Occasionally, high-priority platforms, such as the TIE Defender research facility in the Parmel system, had a concussion missile launcher positioned at the tip of its underside. While it was often used to discourage starfighter attacks, its most important role was to intercept incoming warheads before they could harm the station. Attacking fighters often had to use several concussion missiles of their own to overwhelm this anti-warhead defense.[1]

The XQ series hangars could accommodate up to three squadrons of starfighters, plus transports, shuttles, and other auxiliary craft.

Usage
Most XQ series platforms served as outposts and supply depots for both sides in the Galactic Civil War, such as DS 5 where defecting Imperial Admiral Harkov took refuge. Outpost D-34 and NL-1 served as Imperial customs stations, tasked with guarding major hyperspace lanes and bringing order to the sector.[1]

Others were research installations, like Admiral Zaarin's TIE Defender facility in the Parmel system, and Pondut and RS-32 which housed magnetic pulse warhead technology used by the Rebellion.