AAL-1971/9.1 Troop Transport

Atmospheric Assault Landers, also known as First Order Transporters, were armored troop carriers operated by the First Order, designed to ferry up to twenty stormtroopers from orbital vessels to planetary surfaces.

Characteristics
The Sienar-Jaemus Army Systems's Atmospheric Assault Lander featured a disembarkation ramp in the front, and a bright spotlight above the ramp, to brighten the stormtroopers disembarking, and spread fear among their enemies as well as finding enemies in the dark. Located directly behind the searchlight there was a forward deflector augmenter and sensor array. On top of the craft located in the middle there was a troop compartment emergency hatch. The cockpit was up near the stern and was positioned to maximize landing zone visibility, and was narrow enough that the pilot was required to stand when the lander was in operation. The transport was maneuvred by a single veteran TIE pilot, but could be controlled via consoles in the crew compartment below. The landers had four robust landing gear underneath for hard landings, and had one ramp actuator on either side of the front to stabilize the craft when the ramp was lowered. On the lower sides of the craft near the front landing gear there was atmospheric ducting; as well the forward repulsor array was also located there, and was covered up by blast-protected armored metal plates. The craft were powered by four SJAS-210 sublight ion engines.

Stormtroopers deployed just when the boarding ramp was lowered, with a first group of troopers rushing out to establish a perimeter. To do this, soldiers often used FWMB-10 repeating blasters, which offered a good cover fire. Two squads, disembarked in standard two-abreast formation, could begin combat operations in as little as 30 seconds, allowing the lander to evacuate the drop zone.

Armament and defenses
A single stormtrooper gunner protected the lander during its final approach to the drop zone, scanning the terrain from an elevated turret mounting a F-Z0 antipersonnel blaster cannon. The turret provided a 240-degree field of fire and could also be maneuvered from the crew compartment. An elevating footplate raised gunner into position. Deflector shield generator was located on top of the craft, while the prow had a forward deflector augmenter. The smooth hull was designed to deflect blaster fire; engines were protected thanks to an extended external armor. To better protect the ship, voids contained inert gas to dampen blaster impacts.

History
The Atmospheric Assault Lander was used by the First Order 30 years after the Battle of Endor. They were used to deploy stormtroopers to restore order to a mining colony in the Pressylla system.

Just after the mission, four Assault Landers and Kylo Ren's command shuttle launched from the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer Finalizer at Jakku to discover information about Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker's exile. The landers were also used to attack the planet Takodana in an attempt to catch BB-8, an astromech droid which had been given the information.

Appearances

 * Before the Awakening
 * Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens