An unarmed variant of the Multi-Troop Transport, the troop carrier boasted no weaponry or heavy armor and had to rely on AATs and battle droids for protection. It was deployed behind the protection of ground armor in secure conditions, or within occupied territory. The troop carrier was also equipped with a forward flood light for use at night. Although the MTT offered greater protection, the troop carrier was faster and more agile, and many were still retained in the Trade Federation forces.
The troop carrier was piloted by two battle droid pilots. The vehicle's drive unit was adapted from a civilian cargo sled, though it featured a large troop deployment rack behind it. Similar to the deployment racks used in MTTs, the troop carrier's single rack could hold 112 battle droids, folded into their space saving configurations.
Troop carriers head towards the city of Theed on Naboo alongside MTTs, AATs, and STAPs. Up to 28 troop carriers could be fitted onto one C-9979 landing ship.
During the events of the Invasion of Naboo, the troop carriers were brought to Naboo along with MTTs and AATs in C-9979 landing craft. The troop carriers were part of the Trade Federation invasion force that occupied the capital city Theed.
Troop carriers were later used in the Battle of Kashyyyk. After the Clone Wars ended, the few troop carriers that survived the conflict were converted into civilian cargo sleds.
These vehicles have sometimes been referred to by fans as "Platoon Attack Craft". This name comes from the revised rough draft of The Phantom Menace and is mentioned in The Official Star Wars Fact File.