An evil empire is only as formidable as its collection of ships, and the Galactic Empire at the center of the Star Wars franchise is no exception. From the very first shots of A New Hope in 1977, audiences have been awed by the intricate construction and awesome power of the Empire's armadas. The Imperial fleet has provided some of the greatest thrills and chills of the entire film series, exemplifying the evil and technological prowess of the galaxy's most villainous faction.

Iconic designs by artists like Ralph McQuarrie, Colin Cantwell, and more have helped elevate Star Wars from a typical sci-fi blockbuster to an entrancing cinematic world that is still growing to this day. From the animated to live-action shows, new ships continue to crop up next to the old stalwarts. From the nimble Tie Fighters to the staggeringly powerful Star Destroyers, the Star Wars universe is populated by countless...