B1-A air battle droids were a type of battle droid within the Separatist Droid Army, notable for their use of jetpacks and individual shields.
The design of these droids shared traits with the standard B1-Series battle droids, although they exhibited a more robust and bulky build, similar to the B2 super battle droid.
These droids came equipped with a pair of short blades, blasters mounted on their arms, and a shield capable of deflecting lightsabers. Furthermore, they incorporated a built-in repulsor pack, enabling them to hover above the battlefield, which granted them significant maneuverability for harassing enemies from afar or engaging in close-quarters combat.
Despite initial optimism surrounding their design, clone troopers found it relatively straightforward to eliminate these droids by targeting a vulnerability located on their wings. A successful hit would cause the droid to lose control.
During the Battle of Coruscant, numerous air battle droids were deployed aboard the Invisible Hand. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker destroyed these units when they boarded the Providence-class carrier/destroyer in an effort to liberate Supreme Chancellor Palpatine from the clutches of the Galactic Republic.
Additional air battle droid units saw action on the planet Utapau, engaging in combat against Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi.