Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier
Production information
Manufacturer	Rothana Heavy Engineering
Product line	LAAT-series
Model	Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier repulsorlift gunship
Class	Transport[1]
Cost	58,000 credits (42,000 used)[2]
Technical specifications
Length	17.4 meters
Maximum speed	620 km/h[2]
Armament	Light laser cannons[2]
Complement	Varies, can carry one of the following: All Terrain Tactical Enforcer (1)[1] All Terrain Experimental Transport (4)[3] Republic Troop Transport (1)[3] TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank (1)[3] PX-4 Mobile Command Base (1)[4]
Crew	Pilot (1)[1]
Passengers	None[2]
Cargo capacity	40 tons[2]
Consumables	3 days[2]
Usage
Availability	Military[2]
Role(s)	Carrier[1]
Era(s)	Rise of the Empire era[1] New Republic era[5]
Affiliation	Galactic Republic[1] Galactic Empire[4] Restored Empire[5]

[Source]

The Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier (LAAT/c), also know as the ^[6], was a LAAT carrier gunship employed by the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars^[1] and later by the Galactic Empire. These atmospheric transports were also referred to as AT-TE carriers, Republic Dropships or "Tank Lifters".

CharacteristicsEdit

The Rothana Heavy Engineering LAAT/carrier variant was designed primarily to airlift assault walkers and other heavy cargo into battle. Similar in design to the LAAT/i version, the carrier gunship removed the infantry model's troop hold, and featured heavy-lift agrav drives that helped the heavy electro-magnets hold payloads such as AT-TEs in place under the main hull.

A wide wingspan allowed for maximum distribution of repulsorlift vanes when carrying heavy weights. Most of the LAAT/i's weapons were not present, leaving only the three anti-personnel laser turrets. Because of it's lack of weapons, a Gunners station was not needed, thus the LAAT/c was a one man vehicle.

VariantsEdit

A modified version of the LAAT/c had a troop deck that could hold up to 40 troops.

HistoryEdit

At the Battle of Geonosis, these carriers transported many AT-TE walkers onto the front lines. They were also used to deploy the Forward Command Center. ^[1] Some four hundred LAAT/c gunships were deployed during the battle, it is unknown how many were lost during the battle.

During the Battle of Teth, the 501st Legion used 2 LAAT/c gunships, one called "Wampa Runner" which had the painted head of a Wampa on it's nose, to insert 2 AT-TE walkers to scale the base of the B'omarr Monastery. ^[7]

Many LAAT/cs were deployed for the second Geonosian Campaign to bring in the heavy equipment such as AT-TEs, However, many were lost in the first landing attempt, along with equipment they were carrying. Later, after the weapons factory was destroyed, LAAT/cs were used to move debris from the site of the explosion to look for the missing Ashoka Tano and Barris Offee.

A number of LAAT/cs were used to transport the Zillo Beast after it was neutralized.

During the Clone Wars, carrier gunships were known to transport Forward Command Centers, Stun tanks, Saber-class fighter tanks, HAV A5 Juggernauts, RTT transports, AT-XT, AT-OT and AT-TE.^[3]

In the Imperial Period, they often airlifted in PX-4 Mobile Command Bases.^[4] By 13 ABY they were one of a number of Clone wars-era Galactic Republic vehicles being used by the Restored Empire faction of the Imperial Remnant.^[5]

AppearancesEdit

• Star Wars: Battlefront (Appears in stock footage from Attack of the Clones.)
• Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (First appearance)
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars video game
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars film
• The Clone Wars: Decide Your Destiny: Tethan Battle Adventure
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Landing at Point Rain"
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Weapons Factory"
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Legacy of Terror"
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Grievous Intrigue"
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "The Deserter"
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "The Zillo Beast"
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back"
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Death Trap" (Appears in flashback(s))
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Heroes on Both Sides" (Appears in flashback(s))
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Senate Murders" (Appears in flashback(s))
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Mercy Mission"
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Kidnapped"
• Republic Commando: Triple Zero (Modified LAAT/c)
• Republic Commando: True Colors
• Routine Valor
• Labyrinth of Evil (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: Dark Times 13: Blue Harvest, Part 1
• Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command 1
• Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost 2
• LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

SourcesEdit

• Attack of the Clones: The Visual Dictionary
• Attack of the Clones: Incredible Cross-Sections
• Inside the Worlds of Attack of the Clones
• The Official Star Wars Fact File 88 (GUN4, Republic Attack Gunship)
• "Guide to the Grand Army of the Republic"—Star Wars Insider 84
• Star Wars Chronicles: The Prequels
• The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide
• The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide
• The Clone Wars Campaign Guide

Notes and referencesEdit

External linksEdit

• 10195 Republic Dropship with AT-OT on Brickipedia