The Sky Swat is a thrill ride which is built by S&S Power of Logan, Utah. It was developed and put onto the market in 2003. Only 2 have ever been built, although one has existed at 2 locations. The first ever installation of a Sky Swat was at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas in 2003. The ride was then known as 'SWAT!'. After Six Flags AstroWorld closed in 2005, the ride was moved to Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts and renamed Catapult. Thorpe Park installed a Sky Swat called Slammer in 2005, and is the most recent installation of the ride.
The ride vehicle is a long arm with 4 rows of 6 seats per row at each end. The restraints consist of a side-lowering lap bar and semi over-the-shoulder restraints, a restraint system also found on the S&S Screamin' Squirrel and Sky Sling rides. The floor is ventilated, allowing air and small objects to escape through it. The center of the arm sits between 2 towers.
When the ride is ready to start, the arm is lifted to the top of the towers, where it then begins to spin. As the arm spins between the two towers, the riders are orbiting either up or down around the center. After a few flips, it reverses and flips in the opposite direction. As of July 2010 these are the only 2 rides of this type which exist in the World.
Although these rides are known for their large capacity, as well as for their unique ride experience, they have also had their share of problems. Most notably, at all its locations, these rides have suffered extended and constant downtime. Along with this, people have complained that the rides have had long lines and that they have not quite lived up to their 'high capacity' rating.
As of 2010 S&S Power no longer have the ride in production.