Light Infantry Utility Vehicle

The snowspeeder's operating crew consisted of one First Order snowtrooper, with capacity for two additional personnel. One of these individuals could operate the front-mounted FWMB-10 repeating blaster cannon. Typically, the gunner occupied the front position to identify targets. The mounting system allowed for a broad, sideways range of fire. Furthermore, the cannon could be lowered or raised to defend against threats from the air or ground. The blaster was also designed to be detached and positioned at the front of the vehicle.

Due to the harsh conditions in which it operated, the snowspeeder incorporated heating elements within the seats to ensure crew comfort and survival. Additionally, the snowspeeder was equipped with small deflector shields to offer protection to the occupants from airborne debris.

During the Battle of Starkiller Base, which occurred thirty years following the Battle of Endor, snowspeeders were deployed at Starkiller Base. They fulfilled a variety of roles, including patrol duties, logistical support, and the transportation of personnel between the main installation and remote outposts. Resistance operatives Finn and Rey commandeered one of these vehicles to infiltrate the thermal oscillator, a crucial component of the base. After a brief engagement where they disabled three pursuing snowspeeders, they reached their intended destination. Shortly thereafter, the Wookiee Chewbacca, a fellow ally, utilized it to return to the starship Millennium Falcon. A year later, an LIUV was observed within Hangar 12 aboard the Steadfast orbiting Kijimi, featuring a different configuration of front-mounted blaster cannon.

The First Order snowspeeder is among the vehicle types employed by the First Order. Its introduction to the public occurred through merchandise releases associated with Force Friday on September 4, 2015, in anticipation of the release of Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.

Originally, for Episode VII, snowspeeders were intended to be featured in a chase sequence during the Battle of Starkiller Base. This scene involved Finn and Rey stealing a snowspeeder and subsequently engaging with another First Order speeder while attempting to disable the base's oscillator. Concept art was developed for this sequence; however, it was ultimately omitted from the theatrical release. While the scene was filmed, it was later removed, although it was included as a bonus feature in the home video release of Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. Despite its absence from the final film cut, the scene remained present in The Force Awakens novelization and was later adapted (with significant deviations from the novelization's depiction) into the episode Perilous Pursuit in the second season of Star Wars Forces of Destiny. One notable difference was the presence of three speeders pursuing Finn and Rey in the episode, contrasting with the single speeder chase depicted in both the deleted film scene and the novelization.