The Zenuas 33 Umbaran starfighter, a product of Ghost Armaments, represented a significant advancement in starfighter technology. The pilot was enclosed in a shielded cockpit, surrounded by holographic displays that responded to touch instantly. This fighter saw extensive action during the Battle of Umbara, a key engagement in the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Umbarans, who had aligned themselves with the Separatist Alliance.
Manufactured by Ghost Armaments, the Zenuas 33 Umbaran starfighter was a uniquely potent and versatile craft utilized by the Umbaran Militia. Its spaceframe featured variable geometry, presenting a roughly triangular shape during standard flight. This distinctive design allowed the starfighter to stand vertically on its wingtips or be stored in specialized racks along the walls of hangars, such as those within the Umbaran airbase.
Instead of a conventional cockpit, the pilot occupied a ray shielded command chair, encircled by touch-sensitive holographic controls and displays. The chair itself was equipped with repulsorlifts. Operation relied on extremely sensitive hand gestures, a stark contrast to typical starfighters, making it challenging for inexperienced pilots to master. Its maneuverability was exceptional, enabling near-instantaneous changes in orientation. Armed with chin-mounted electromagnetic plasma cannons and wing-mounted missile pods, the Umbaran starfighter possessed considerable firepower. A single Umbaran Technician could detach these wing-mounted missile pods.
These starfighters operated almost silently in flight mode, providing a crucial element of surprise. They lacked a hyperdrive. Notably, these fighters were among the few weapons capable of effectively combating the Umbaran mobile heavy cannon.
When the Clone Wars engulfed Umbara, the Umbaran Militia deployed their unique arsenal against the clone troopers of the Galactic Republic, with the Zenuas 33 serving as their primary form of aerial support.
During the battle, clone troopers "Hardcase" and CT-5555 "Fives" defied orders from Jedi General Pong Krell, infiltrating the Umbaran airbase to commandeer two Umbaran fighters. They then used these fighters to protect their fellow troopers from Umbaran mobile heavy cannons. Hardcase, Fives, and CT-5597 "Jesse" would later disobey orders again, piloting these ships to destroy a Separatist supply ship.
The Umbaran starfighters made their debut in "Darkness on Umbara," the seventh episode of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars' fourth season. The design of this spacecraft drew inspiration from the cervical vertebra of the Apatosaurus dinosaur.