Sheathipede-class transport shuttle/Legends

Sheathipede-class transport shuttle "Haor Chall Engineering Sheathipede-class transport shuttle. Design is based on the soldier beetles. Upraised stern, bow ramp, clawfoot landing gear."

- A clone commando

The Sheathipede-class transport shuttle, also known as the Neimoidian shuttle, was a craft manufactured by Haor Chall Engineering and used by high-ranking officials of the Trade Federation to visit potential clients and marketplaces.

Characteristics


They were shaped like soldier beetles, and their clawfooted landing legs could only settle down on hard surfaces. This was due to the businessmen's distaste for dealing with poor, underdeveloped worlds.

These shuttles often had their cockpits removed and replaced by automated pilots, so that cabin space could be increased. The Sheathipede-class shuttle was a short-range ship, used only for planetary travel or to ferry passengers to and from an orbital starship.

The personal shuttle of Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray was named Lapiz Cutter. This ship had no weapons, although it was protected by powerful deflector shields.

The shuttle bore a resemblance to the Neimoidian trader.

History
Sheathipede-class shuttles were used by Neimoidian officials to land on Naboo after they had invaded the planet. Later, when the Battle of Geonosis appeared to go in favor of the Republic, the Neimoidian representatives took off in one of these craft.

General Grievous also used one of these shuttles to land on the planet Utapau following the Battle of Coruscant. His shuttle had an unaltered cockpit, due to the General's distrust of automated systems.

After the Clone Wars ended, few Neimoidians would venture outside their systems unless on business trips. When doing so, they still used Sheathipede-class shuttles.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace comic
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars Republic: Trackdown
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV series)
 * Star Wars: Obsession
 * Evasive Action: Reversal of Fortune
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith comic
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith video game

Notes and references
EGG-8 Shuttle der Sheathipede-Klasse