TIE mauler

• Appeared in:
  
  I
  II
  III
  IV
  V
  VI
  CW

• Size:
  6.7 meters long

• Weapon:
  Triple laser cannons, self destruct mechanism

• Affiliation:
  Galactic Empire

• Type:
  Compact assault vehicle

• Manufacturer:
  Santhe/Sienar Technologies

• 

From the Expanded Universe

As the Empire greatly expanded in its early years, it tasked many of its most steady suppliers to develop war material with conservative budgets. Santhe/Sienar Technologies, developers of the TIE starfighter series, took this recommendation to heart in the development of the TIE ap-1, also known as the TIE mauler. It was designed to fulfill the Empire's need for a light, fast and cheap ground vehicle to combat the increasing threat of the Rebellion.

To keep costs down, TIE maulers are built with a standard TIE fighter cockpit that is suspended between two massive tank treads. The first units were field tested early in the Galactic Civil War and were used throughout the conflict.

The TIE mauler sacrifices armor for its speed and maneuverability. It is armed with rapid fire laser cannons to mow down enemy infantry. TIE ap-1 drivers quickly discovered that the maneuverable tank treads proved an even greater weapon against enemy troops, and the gruesome spectacle of this treaded TIE running over Rebel troopers earned the vehicle its informal name. Since TIE maulers are lightly armored and can be destroyed with concentrated fire, they are typically released in groups of five.

TIE maulers are also equipped with a highly explosive self-destruct device that can be activated in an emergency. The TIE mauler ultimately saw limited service, though it did inspire the more advanced TIE crawler design, also known as the century tank.