The Reconnaissance Troop Transporter (RTT), also known as the Imperial Troop Transporter or Imperial Troop Transport, functioned as a Galactic Empire repulsorlift troop-carrying vehicle.
This armored repulsorlift RTT was constructed with three open traveling racks on each of its sides. Typically, it featured a dual light, linked blaster cannon mounted on its top. While these racks could quickly deploy troops, they also left those troops vulnerable during transit.
Beyond the six troopers it carried externally, the Troop Transporter also had interior space for additional personnel. A Droid Prisoner Compartment was situated at the vehicle's rear, intended for detaining and controlling rogue droids. Furthermore, Prisoner Immobilization Units were installed to subdue prisoners.
During 0 ABY, the Empire, under the direction of Imperial Security Bureau agent Mar Barezz, deployed the Troop Transporter in an attempt to seize Rebel Alliance recruits, though the recruits managed to evade capture.
The RTT was utilized not only for patrols, but also in search and destroy missions involving elite units. An example of this was the hunt for the stolen Death Star plans on Tatooine, where search teams employed at least one of these vehicles for desert travel. These forces apprehended and interrogated a group of Jawas, suspecting them of capturing the droids carrying the plans, before executing them and destroying their sandcrawler with the Transporter's gun.
Later, Orman Tagge used several Transporters on the same world, during a field test of his brother's recent invention, Omega Frost.
Transporters manufactured by Sienar also took part in the Imperial Civil War circa 10 ABY, transporting forces across battle zones on Coruscant.
The Reconnaissance Troop Transporter started as a 1979 toy from Kenner known as the Imperial Troop Transporter, which was the first Star Wars toy that did not actually appear in any of the films. It also included a story booklet that claimed it was present off-screen in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (then simply called Star Wars), and that it was responsible for destroying the sandcrawler that carried R2-D2 and C-3PO. It was quickly integrated into the Star Wars expanded universe that year in Marvel Comics' Star Wars 31.
The original Imperial Troop Transporter toy included six sound effects from A New Hope, consisting of four sound effects and two voice lines: "R2-D2, where are you?" and "There's one! Set for stun!" The toy was later re-released as the heavily modified Imperial Cruiser, with most of its electronics removed and some of its decals changed. The space formerly occupied by the electronics was converted into a cargo bay.
A 2009 Topps Star Wars Galaxy Series 4 trading card showcased art by Matt Busch depicting a hypothetical situation where stormtroopers in a Troop Transporter had captured Princess Leia. The princess is depicted wearing a Prisoner Immobilization Unit over her head. The vehicle's design is an exact match to the toy.