Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: designer, type, maneuverability and unrecognized parameters: modules, class, era
The Nu-class attack shuttle, also known as the Republic attack shuttle, was a vessel used by the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars.
Characteristics
The Nu-class was a faster, long-range supplementary design to the standard LAAT gunship line, and shared similar design characteristics to the NR2 gully jumper of the Great Galactic War. The class had heavier armor and shielding than most atmospheric craft. However, the LAAT/i remained somewhat competitive with the Nu: while the shuttle could only carry 30 Clone troopers, the LAAT/i could carry that and four speeder bikes in addition. The shuttle also lacked the missile launchers of the LAAT/i. As a result, it wasn't a complete replacement for the affectionately nicknamed "larty".[2]
It was designed with fold-down wings, similar to fighters like the V-19 Torrent and later shuttle designs like the Theta-class and Lambda-class. Its boarding hatch was located at the front of the shuttle, in what could be described as the vessel's "chin". The pilots' chairs would lower them into the boarding area for them to leave the ship, and visa-versa. [7]
It would also appear to have been equipped with some form of tractor beam or magnetic clamp; as used to carry Anakin Skywalker's escape pod after he had crashed the Defender into the command ship of the Separatist blockade over the planet Ryloth.[8]
History
Republic use
The 212th Attack Battalion were known to use these attack shuttles.[9]
A shuttle of this kind delivered Ahsoka Tano to Christophsis during a heavy battle there.[7] Commander Cody and Captain Rex flew the Nu-class shuttle Obex as a transport while conducting an inspection tour of Republic outposts staffed with rookie troops. When they landed at the listening post on the Rishi moon, their shuttle was destroyed by Confederacy droid commandos.
Another Nu-class shuttle delivered Nahdar Vebb and a small squad of clone troopers to the third moon of Vassek during the mission to recapture Nute Gunray. After stumbling into General Grievous's castle, Jedi Master Kit Fisto ordered the clones to call in for reinforcements using the shuttle's transceiver, but it was destroyed by MagnaGuards.
A Nu-class shuttle was used on a diplomatic mission by Commander CC-5869, his troops, Jar Jar Binks, and Senator Kharrus, who were en route to Florrum to the Weequay pirates' lair with a bounty of spice on board as a ransom for Dooku. While entering Florrum's atmosphere, they were shot down by the pirates. Kharrus died in the crash along with the two pilots. The shuttle was unable to take off again because it was broken in two.
A Nu-class shuttle was used to transport Anakin Skywalker's escape pod after he destroyed the leading ship blockading Ryloth with the Defender.[8]
As the Clone Wars progressed, a larger variant with a massive underslung cargo bay, entered service with the Republic. One such shuttle was captured by the Confederacy on Abafar, and was used to load a Republic Venator-class cruiser with rhydonium to blow up a Republic space station in the Carida system. However, the shuttle was captured by Captain Gregor and D-Squad.[10]
Later use
The Nu-class shuttle was later used by the Galactic Empire.[6]
At least one escort shuttle fell into the hands of the Imperial splinter faction known as the "hard-liners" stationed on the planetoid RZ7-6113-23. The shuttle was stolen by the bounty hunter Kir Kanos during his escape from the hard-liners' ship storehouse.[4]
Appearances
- LEGO Star Wars: Microfighters video game (Non-canonical appearance)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Cat and Mouse"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars novel (First appearance)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars film
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels (In flashback(s))
- The Clone Wars: The Gauntlet of Death
- The Clone Wars: The Wind Raiders of Taloraan
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Rookies"
- The Clone Wars: Transfer
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Lair of Grievous"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Dooku Captured"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Gungan General"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Storm Over Ryloth"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes
- "Labyrinth" — Star Wars Comic 2
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Brain Invaders"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Death Trap"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Assassin"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Witches of the Mist"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Deception"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "A War on Two Fronts"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Missing in Action"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Point of No Return"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Unknown"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Orders"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Fugitive"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2 film (Non-canonical appearance)
- Dark Times—Out of the Wilderness 5
- Darth Vader and the Lost Command 4
- The Third Time Pays for All
- Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost 4
Sources
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide
- Star Wars PocketModel TCG: Clone Wars
- Star Wars PocketModel TCG: Clone Wars Tactics
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia (As "Nu-class shuttle")
- The Clone Wars Campaign Guide
- The Written Word on Hyperspace (article) (content removed from StarWars.com and unavailable)
- Republic attack shuttle in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 The Clone Wars Campaign Guide
- ↑ Errata for The Clone Wars Campaign Guide
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost 4
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Gungan General"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dark Times—Out of the Wilderness 5
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Star Wars: The Clone Wars film
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Storm Over Ryloth"
- ↑ Star Wars PocketModel TCG: Clone Wars
- ↑ Missing in Action