Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier

The Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier (LAAT/c), was a LAAT carrier gunship employed by the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. These atmospheric transports were also referred to as AT-TE carriers.

Characteristics


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 held payloads 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. Its heavy magnets could hold AT-TEs and more.

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

History


At the Battle of Geonosis, these carriers transported walkers onto the front lines. Some four hundred LAAT/c gunships were deployed during the battle.

During the Battle of Teth, the 501st Legion used an LAAT/c gunship to insert AT-TE walkers to scale the base of the B'omarr Monastery. This carrier had a custom wampa face painted onto the front.

During the Clone Wars, carrier gunships were known to transport Saber-class fighter tanks, RTT transports, AT-XT, AT-TE, and AT-OT walkers. In the Imperial Period, they often airlifted in PX-4 Mobile Command Bases.

Behind the scenes
Just as the LAAT/i was inspired by the Mil Mi-24 "Hind" combat helicopter, the LAAT/c is similar to the CH-54 Tarhe heavy-lift helicopter.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars (video game)
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars film
 * Republic Commando: Triple Zero
 * Republic Commando: True Colors
 * Routine Valor
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Dark Times 13: Blue Harvest, Part 1

Notes and references
TFAT/c-Transporter Transporte de Asalto de Baja Altitud/transportador Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier