Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid, Mark I

"Master, General Grievous's ship is directly ahead, the one crawling with vulture droids."

- Anakin Skywalker to Obi-Wan Kenobi, referring to the Invisible Hand during the Battle of Coruscant

Vulture droids were droid starfighters utilized by the Trade Federation and later the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

They were capable of maneuvers that would crush even the sturdiest organic pilot, but lacked the resourcefulness and cunning that living pilots brought into combat.

Like the ground forces made up of battle droids, vulture droids were controlled by a control ship, but as time passed, they were able to operate with limited independence. They were also known to be able to communicate with each other by chattering.

While not in flight, vulture droids could transform into walking mode to patrol the surface or provide support during battles.

Invasion of Naboo
"Fighters, straight ahead."

- Bravo Leader's Ric Olié during the Battle of Naboo

Approximately 32 years before the Battle of Yavin, vulture droids were deployed with the rest of the droid forces by the Trade Federation to seize Naboo. During the space battle over the planet, vulture droids were controlled by a Droid Control Ship, made out of a modified Lucrehulk-class LH-3210 cargo freighter, and engaged Bravo Flight's N-1 starfighters. All of the droid starfighters were deactivated when a pilot named Anakin Skywalker destroyed their control ship.

Clone Wars
During the Clone Wars, many vulture droids were painted with the blue and white hexagonal markings that symbolized the Separatist Alliance. They fought in numerous battles, and one such major battle was the Battle of Coruscant.

In addition to being launched from capital ships, vulture droids were also deployed from Automated Vulture droid deployment stations to defend areas from potentially hostile approaching vessels.

At some period during the war, vulture droids were upgraded to carry missiles which could deploy Pistoeka sabotage droids against enemy starfighters.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars film
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
 * Tarkin
 * Tarkin