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| Swoop | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer |
Various |
| Class |
Repulsorlift vehicle |
| Technical specifications | |
| Maximum speed |
± 600 Km/h |
| Crew |
1 rider |
| Usage | |
| Role(s) |
Racing |
| Era(s) | |
A swoop, also known as a swoop bike, was a type of repulsorlift vehicle similar to a speeder bike; in fact, it was in essence simply an overpowered version and described as "an engine with a seat." Swoops were often used by gangs of criminals, with such organizations bearing the mantle of swoop gang. After the Galactic Empire outlawed podracing, swoop racing became the favored alternative.
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Swoops were capable of traveling at over six hundred kilometers per hour. While some had the ability to travel several kilometers above a planet's surface, they generally kept a low altitude. Due to their power and uncontrollability, they had many flaps and control vanes to aid in controlling the vehicle, but due to the unpredictable nature of swoops, few used them.
Prior to and during the Mandalorian Wars and Jedi Civil War, some of the earliest swoop bikes could be found on Taris. Archaeologists theorize that swoop racing originated on Taris, though given the near-total destruction of the planet's surface,[1] this is difficult to prove. Lhosan Industries, which conducted business on Taris during this time, was referred to as "the birthplace of the swoop bike." In any case, Taris was the hub of swoop racing during the time of the Jedi Civil War, and its destruction was a severe blow to the circuit. Nevertheless, swoop bike racing survived on such planets as Tatooine, Manaan, Telos IV, Onderon, and the moon Nar Shaddaa.
During the Clone Wars, the Grand Army of the Republic used the CK-6 swoop in combat during the Battle of Orto Plutonia and for transportation puposes during the Battle of Khorm.
The planet Zonju V was once plagued by swoop mercenaries. In 14 ABY, when Jaden Korr went there to meet up with a spaceport worker, he had to be faster than the local mercenary gangsters to get to a safe outpost and get out alive.
Many racing swoop bikes had their brakes removed to reduce weight thus making the swoop bike faster. They also had deflector shields to protect them against impact. However, due to high speeds, many riders were thrown off and killed upon crashing into an object. Swoops are not to be mistaken with speeder bikes.
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"Han Solo: The Early Years" - Star Wars Insider 106
The Zephyr-G swoop speeder bike is a modified sports vehicle. Please be advised that swoop racing is illegal and a punishable offense by the Empire.
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Also obtainable as a Legacy quest reward.
Source: Corellia Times Consumer Reports: Vehicles - Star Wars Galaxies website
Swoop racing has been around almost as long as the republic. Though no one really knows where the swoops were first used, it is believed about 5000 years BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin). The swoops where first used by swoop gangs in lower city or the all city planet, Taris. Though Taris has long been destroyed by the Sith, swoop racing survived because of a small swoop track on Tatooine. Now, 5000 years later, swoop racing still exists on many planets, though outlawed by the Imperial Empire, and the Republic before. Only the slowest types of swoopers are legally sold anymore.
The name Swoop has been applied to several Transformers characters.
"Swoop" is also an early name for the Dinobot Terranotron; the first few shipments of the line had the character named "Swoop" on the packaging, but was changed quickly to "Terranotron".
Swoop should not be confused with...
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