Single Trooper Aerial Platform/Legends

"We could have stayed hidden in the swamps forever, if not for those accursed STAPs. They rooted us out of the trees like Gungans searching for gumbols."

- Tobias Pall

The Single Trooper Aerial Platform (STAP-1 or STAP) was an agile flying machine designed for use by the Trade Federation's and Confederacy of Independent Systems' B1 battle droids.

Characteristics


It was similar in design to personal repulsorlift airhooks used for both civilian and military purposes. Designed to travel fast, the STAP's only weapon was a twin blaster cannon connected to it. High voltage energy cells powered the machine.

Each STAP was piloted by a single battle droid that stood on a long foot panel, gripping a pair of handles that controlled its weapons and were used to pilot the craft.

The STAP-1 was used for scouting and anti-personnel hunting operations, and would occasionally be used in open battle to harass enemy forces. Because of its open design, STAP units were vulnerable to enemy heavy weapons, making them rely on their speed and agility to dodge enemy fire.

It was the counterpart to the Republic 74-Z speeder bike.

History
STAPs were used extensively during the Invasion of Naboo, where Trade Federation forces used them to great effect against the Naboo security teams and to subjucate the local populace.

Later, they would be used during the Clone Wars, especially during the Dark Reaper Crisis, on planets such as Raxus Prime, alongside heavy armor vehicles.

Behind the scenes
It is possible that the STAP was based on the real life VZ-1 Pawnee, an experimental flying platform developed by the U.S. military and designed to be piloted by a single soldier.

Appearances

 * Cloak of Deception
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace comic
 * Episode I: Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
 * Star Wars: Starfighter
 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
 * Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter
 * Star Wars: Battlefront




 * Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles
 * Starfighter: Crossbones
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars video game
 * The Clone Wars: The Pengalan Tradeoff
 * Hero of Cartao
 * Changing Seasons
 * Star Wars: General Grievous
 * Star Wars: Obsession
 * Brothers in Arms
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron
 * Star Wars Republic: Into the Unknown
 * Star Wars: Demolition

Notes and references
STAP