The Trident-class assault ship, alternatively referred to as the Trident assault ship, represented a specific design of aquatic gunship originating from the Colicoid Creation Nest. These vessels saw service within the Confederacy of Independent Systems throughout the duration of the Clone Wars. Functioning as both offensive units and transports, these starships possessed the capability to navigate both underwater environments and the expanse of space. A more substantial iteration, designated as the Trident drill assault craft, incorporated a massive drill spike situated on its underside, enabling it to breach the defenses of battleships and fortified bunkers. Subsequently, the vessel could deploy troops, such as AQ-series battle droids, through the created opening via deployment racks.
The Trident-class assault ship, which also goes by the names Trident assault ship, Trident drill assault craft, or simply drill assault craft, was a kind of assault ship constructed by the Colicoid Creation Nest. It featured four durasteel-armored tentacles, each equipped with magnetic grapples. These grapples served a dual purpose, functioning as both offensive implements and a means of propulsion. The ship also had a rhombus pyramid-shaped head, incorporating multiple observation portals.
While lacking a hyperdrive, it was highly effective when operating underwater. With a length of 88.71 meters, it was armed with eight laser cannons. The Trident-class came in two versions: a smaller one and a larger one. The larger variant had a drill spike at the base of its head, nestled between the tentacles. This spike was designed to penetrate the hulls of battleships and other structures. Once a breach was made, the ship could deploy battle droids, including AQ-series battle droids, using deployment racks.
Despite being equipped with deflector shields, the observation portals were vulnerable to blaster spears and could be destroyed with a single shot from a missile launcher. The ship's interior could be sealed for underwater operations, but if this wasn't done, breaches in the observation portals could cause system malfunctions, leading to internal explosions and loss of control.
Asajj Ventress possessed her own Trident-class vessel, named the Trident, which she employed to abduct Jabba the Hutt's son, Rotta, from Tatooine during the Clone Wars. Numerous Trident ships were deployed alongside the Recusant-class light destroyer Gilded Aegis above a water-covered planet.
The ship played a significant role in the Battle of Kamino, utilizing its ability to traverse the planet's oceans to deploy various combat units, including B2-series super battle droids and AQ-series battle droids. As Republic forces appeared to secure a victory in a space engagement above Kamino, Ventress marshaled her droid forces beneath the waves. Subsequently, the Trident-class vessels emerged from the water and assaulted Tipoca City, directly deploying droid armies onto platforms or breaching the city walls to insert droids directly into the interior. The vessels also employed their articulated arms to eliminate clone troopers attempting to defend against the droid invasion. Some _Trident_s were neutralized by Advanced Recon Force Scout Troopers using RPS-6 rocket launchers, eventually turning the tide of battle and resulting in a Separatist defeat.
It was also involved in the Battle of Mon Cala, where Separatist forces, under the command of Riff Tamson, used it as a command hub. The Trident was employed to generate whirlpools to incapacitate enemies, enabling Separatist forces to capture numerous Republic soldiers.
Following the conclusion of the Clone Wars, marked by the defeat of the Separatists and the Jedi, a Trident-class assault ship was utilized in 9 BBY by the Republic's successor state, the Galactic Empire, on Jedha to bore into the Pilgrim's Sanctuary.
The animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars was the first time the Trident-class assault ship was seen, specifically in a flashback. Later, the ship was a recurring element in several episodes of the animated series of the same name. An Imperial-modified version was designed by Evan Cwiertny for the video game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which came out in 2023.