Nu - class attack shuttle 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 " . 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 . 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 . History . Republic use . The 212th Attack Battalion were known to use these attack shuttles . A shuttle of this kind delivered Ahsoka Tano to Christophsis during a heavy battle there . 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 " . 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 . Later use . The " Nu " - class shuttle was later used by the Galactic Empire . 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 .