Imperial combat driver

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Imperial combat drivers were the elite ground-vehicle pilots of the Galactic Empire's Army. Standard combat drivers were trained to handle everything in the Imperial ground arsenal, including 614-AvA speeder bikes,^[9] Imperial Troop Transports,^[10] and various type of walkers like the All Terrain Defense Pod.^[11] They also flew Imperial LAAT/le patrol gunships.^[12]

Several assault vehicles used by the Empire boasted a specialized corps of drivers. Such corps included AT-AT pilots driving All Terrain Armored Transports, tank operators piloting TX-225 GAVw "Occupier" combat assault tanks,^[1] AT-ST drivers operating All Terrain Scout Transports,^[2] and Juggernaut Pilots operating Imperial Combat Assault Transports.^[4] However, members of all corps were qualified to operate All Terrain Armored Cargo Transports, since they were not technically designated battlefield assault vehicles.^[1] Despite this, they still had a specialized driver group.^[3] AT-AT pilots saw themselves as the elite among the elite.^[13]

Uniforms[edit | edit source]

The generic armor worn by the Empire's combat drivers consisted of a jumpsuit, a cuirass, shoulder- and lower leg-armor, gauntlet-style gloves, and a domed helmet whose faceplate resembled that of Imperial cadets.^[9] That combat uniform gave the combat drivers an imposing countenance,^[5] and came in two different color schemes. The one worn by the Troop Transports drivers featured a black jumpsuit and field grey armor parts and helmet, while the one worn by AT-DP^[11] and speeder bike drivers had a light grey jumpsuit, field grey body armor, and a light grey helmet.^[9] In combat, they used an E-11 blaster rifle.^[14]

AT-AT pilot—The field uniform of the AT-AT pilots resembled a white version of the one worn by TIE fighter pilots. It consisted of a light grey flight suit complete with webbing, along with white gloves, boots and helmet.^[15]

AT-ST driver—Contrary to other branches, AT-ST drivers wore little armor. They donned light grey jumpsuits with pockets, a grey-green open face helmet, a belt, black boots and gauntlet gloves, and a pair of dark goggles.^[16]

Tank driver—At the time of the Battle of Scarif, tank drivers wore a partial suit of plastoid plates that not only provided protection, but also permitted the flexibility required to sit in the confining quarters of a tank. Tank commanders wore the same armor, but with a black stripe across the top of their chest plate.^[1]

AT-ACT driver—These pilots wore armor very similar to Scarif coastal defender stormtroopers, in a white and black color scheme similar to combat tank commanders.^[3]

Juggernaut Pilot—These pilots wore armor similar to Imperial combat assault tank pilots, but was grey-green in color and more simplistic in design. Some pilots had red markings on their left upper arm.^[4]