TheForce.Net - Completely Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia

Bantha-class Assault Shuttle

Description

Additional Info

Related Entries

Sources

Images

Legend

this troop carrier and assault shuttle was one of the most welcomed ships ever added to the armada of the Alliance, and continued to gain popularity in the early years of the New Republic. Developed by Mon Calamari and Sullustan designers in response to the Empire's use of Sentinel-class shuttles, the Bantha-class shuttle created to fly in behind a fighter screen and the take a beating while delivering ground troops into battle. It landed on a gimballed monopod, giving it a small footpit while allowing it to carry and delivery nearly thirty tons of troops and armed vehicles into a warzone. A group of turbolasers manufactured by Golan Arms stud the upper hull of the ship, providing heavy cover for the troops which disembark from it. The ship requires a living pilot, but the pilot is assisted by a droid brain, and many of the pilots often banter with the droid during missions. These pilots often refer to themselves as "bus drivers."