The T-6 shuttle, alternatively known as the Jedi T-6 shuttle or the T-6 Jedi Shuttle, functioned as an unarmed transport vehicle for the Jedi Order. This design, being somewhat dated, experienced a surge in utilization during the era of the Clone Wars. Later, around the time of the early rebellion against the Galactic Empire, the shuttle's cockpit design served as inspiration for the A/SF-01 B-wing starfighter.
Constructed by the Verpine species located within the Slayn & Korpil hives, the T-6 shuttle was distinguished by its semicircular form, incorporating a revolving engine block and cockpit. This unique design allowed the cockpit and engine to maintain alignment with the ship's orientation during both landing and flight. When grounded, the shuttle rested horizontally upon three landing struts. The cockpit, featuring a somewhat conical shape, maintained alignment with the main body, mirroring the horizontal arrangement of the three engines. In flight, the cockpit and engine block would rotate by ninety degrees. A single loading ramp was positioned on the port side of the engine block. These shuttles were equipped with ejector seats that, upon activation, would encase the occupant in a flexible, cushioned survival capsule.
The T-6 shuttle, intended for ambassadorial purposes, lacked offensive capabilities but included a hyperdrive system. In addition, the interior was quite roomy, offering a relatively comfortable experience for space travel. During the Clone Wars, when pressed into military service, Republic T-6 shuttles displayed the Galactic Roundel and were painted in the red-and-white colors associated with the Grand Army of the Republic, while still remaining unarmed. Several decades later, T-6 shuttles integrated into the fleet organized by Lando Calrissian were retrofitted with weaponry attached to either side of the cockpit.
The Jedi Order commissioned the T-6 shuttle for their use. Records show the Jedi utilized them as early as 68 BBY and 42 BBY, when Jedi Masters Dooku and Mace Windu traveled to Raxus Secundus aboard one. In 32 BBY, Jedi Master Sifo Dyas was shot down while flying a T-6 shuttle over the Oba Diah moon.
During the Clone Wars, following the capture of the Duros bounty hunter Cad Bane, the T-6 shuttle served as the transport for Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Bane himself, and Clone Commander CC-2224, taking them to Bane's hideout within the asteroid-filled Rogue Antar system to recover a stolen holocron. However, the space station turned out to be a trap. Bane escaped his captors and initiated the hideout's self-destruct sequence before fleeing in an escape pod. Windu, Kenobi, and Commander Cody managed to escape in their shuttle with the recovered holocron just before the station's destruction.
After the Felucia medical station was destroyed, Jedi Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano used a T-6 shuttle to travel to Felucia in order to investigate the medical center's disappearance. As they arrived, vulture droids that had been launched from a deployment pod attacked their shuttle. The droid starfighters successfully shot and disabled the unarmed shuttle, but the Jedi trio managed to escape using their ejector seats before the shuttle crashed into a mountain on the planet's surface.
Around 21 BBY, Jedi Plo Koon and Ahsoka Tano utilized a T-6 shuttle for their journey to Florrum as they searched for the bounty hunters Boba Fett, Aurra Sing, and Bossk, who had taken hostages from the crew of the Star Destroyer Endurance. The Jedi confronted the criminals on the planet, rescued two hostages, and captured Fett and Bossk. The T-6 shuttle then transported the Republic forces and their prisoners to the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center located on Coruscant.
Another T-6 shuttle was used by Padawan Tano and Pantoran Senator Riyo Chuchi to travel to a Trade Federation Droid Control Ship positioned above Pantora as they searched for the kidnapped daughters of Pantoran Chairman Notluwiski Papanoida.
Later, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker used a shuttle to journey to Dathomir with the goal of discovering the origins of Savage Opress, a dark side warrior responsible for the deaths of two Jedi. Upon learning that Opress was on Toydaria, the duo piloted the craft to the Toydarian homeworld to confront the acolyte. Opress destroyed the shuttle as he made his escape.
During the Clone Wars, the presence of T-6 shuttles signaled that assistance was on its way. However, after the destruction of the Jedi Order, sightings of the T-6 became infrequent. Despite this, the T-6's recognizable form continued to represent hope for many years.
Around 9 ABY, following the Attack on the Vesper, Ahsoka Tano utilized one of these starships to travel to Lothal and retrieve Sabine Wren, with the intention of initiating their search for the Jedi Ezra Bridger.
A number of T-6 shuttles underwent retrofitting with weaponry and participated in the Battle of Exegol as part of the Citizens' Fleet, a group of over 14,000 starships. They joined the Resistance in their fight against the Sith Eternal forces.
The T-6 shuttle made its initial appearance in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Notably, the online guide associated with "Revival," the inaugural episode of The Clone Wars: Season Five, mistakenly identified an Eta-class shuttle as being a T-6 shuttle.