Low Altitude Assault Transport/Legends

The Low Altitude Assault Transport (LAAT) was a specialized gunship used in the Clone Wars. It and its variants were produced by Rothana Heavy Engineering.

It was the direct successor of the gunship fighter and the direct predecessor of the advanced gunship fighter.

Details
The LAATs first appeared at the Battle of Geonosis, where they rescued the surviving Jedi from the execution arena, disabled and destroyed many of the fleeing Separatist capital ships and helped defeat many of the droids defending Geonosis

The gunships mounted numerous weapons emplacements, including three blasters, two single and two twin composite-beam lasers, eight anti-aircraft rockets, and two mass drivers for launching larger missile weapons.

They were equipped with atmospheric containment shielding and could be deployed from space, but their optimal fighting range was still in the lower atmosphere.

During the Galactic Civil War, the Rebel Alliance found disabled, yet still working, LAAT gunships. The Alliance used these vehicles to further their cause in restoring the Republic. When in use by the Rebels, they were renamed "Rebel Assault Transports".

Other rebel groups not affiliated with the Alliance would also come to rely on the aging military transports, like the Jabiim rebels and the Kaminoans.

LAAT/c
The LAAT/c cargo variant had longer wings for enhanced stability when carrying large loads and only carried a pair of blasters. Transports of this type carried AT-TE walkers into battle on Geonosis and other battlefields during the Clone Wars.

LAAT/i (ARC trooper transport)
This modified LAAT inserted ARC trooper units behind enemy lines. It was fitted with extra internal equipment, but otherwise resembled a normal transport. These transports were often painted black instead of red, with some even having elaborate predatory animal-faces sprayed on the front. Like all LAAT models, it was produced by Rothana Heavy Engineering.

LAAT/v
The LAAT/v vehicle variant is slightly larger than the standard LAAT transport and lacks a passenger compartment. The rear hangar has also been expanded to allow the craft to carry 16 speeder bikes or eight military landspeeders.

Alliance Assault Craft
After the rise of the Galactic Empire, the Rebel Alliance recovered and used these old gunships against the Empire during the Galactic Civil War. They were a valuable asset on the Rebel fleet.

Behind the scenes

 * The LAAT was inspired by real-world helicopter gunships, notably the Russian Mil Mi-24 Hind.
 * In addition to the LAAT-variants, there were several other gunship-models that both pre- and postdated them and were designated with similar acronyms. Most notable were the AIAT/i gunship, the VAAT/e transport and the HAET-221 gunboat.

Appearances



 * Star Wars: Battlefront
 * Star Wars Battlefront II
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Republic Commando: Hard Contact
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Republic 78: Loyalties
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader 
 * ''Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike