Clone jet trooper
Aerial clone troopers, also known as clone jet troopers, were clone troopers who were trained and equipped to utilize jetpacks.
These troopers followed in the footsteps of the Republic rocket-jumpers from the time of the Old Sith Wars and Darca Nyl's airborne mercenaries who operated before the Invasion of Naboo. They also came before the jumptroopers and sky troopers of the Galactic Empire.
Equipment
As part of the Grand Army of the Republic, clone jet troopers used their jetpacks, which allowed for short bursts of flight, to quickly traverse vast distances and gain an elevated position over the enemy. The flying jet trooper's agility made them difficult to target, and they were able to surprise enemies from behind.
Merr-Sonn electromagnetic pulse launchers were standard issue for jet troopers. They also carried the DC-17 commando pistol, a powerful and accurate weapon for its size. It also featured superior cooling capabilities, allowing for sustained fire without overheating. V-1 thermal detonators were also part of their gear. The troopers learned to integrate their jetpacks into combat strategies, sometimes executing ambushes similar to those employed by the Mandalorians who trained them.
During the Clone Wars, two distinct types of jet trooper armor were used. The first type was the standard Phase I clone trooper armor enhanced with a short-duration JT-12 jetpack. Later, they transitioned to Phase II clone trooper armor. During the Kaminoan resistance against the Galactic Empire, jet troopers served as the primary infantry, armed with DC-15x sniper rifles as a primary weapon.
Phase I jet troopers' armor featured green markings. Phase II jet troopers, however, lacked these markings and instead had a darker color scheme with a green visor.
History
The First Battle of Geonosis marked the combat debut of jet troopers. They were integrated into numerous units, including the 501st Legion.
During the Battle of Geonosis, a jet trooper was tasked with retrieving a Geonosian holocron that had been dropped by one of the Geonosians. The holocron was successfully delivered to Checkpoint Alpha to be analyzed for its secrets. Jet troopers of the 501st Legion also participated in other battles throughout the Clone Wars.
A suit of jet trooper armor was worn by the rogue assassin. As the Galactic Empire rose to power, the Imperial jumptroopers replaced the jet troopers.
Behind the scenes
In the 2004 video game Star Wars: Battlefront and its 2005 sequel, Star Wars: Battlefront II, clone jet troopers appear as one of the Republic classes. A "skytrooper" variant of these troopers, depicted with a winged jetpack model in the 2005 Revenge of the Sith toy line and concept art by Warren Fu, was planned for inclusion in the cancelled Star Wars: Battlefront III.
