Low Altitude Assault Transport
(Republic Gunship)

Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry Specifications
Manufacturer	Rothana Heavy Engineering
Model	Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry Repulsorlift Gunship
Class	Aerial Assault/Repulsorcraft
Length	17.4 meters
Width	17 meters (wingspan)
Max Speed	620 km/h
Armament	3 anti-personnel laser turrets 4 composite-beam laser turrets 2 mass-driver missile launchers (8 light air-to-air rockets)
Crew	Pilot (1) Gunner (3)
Passengers	30
Affiliation	Galactic Republic, Galactic Empire, Rebel Alliance

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.

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 Confederacy capital ships and destroyed many of the Hailfire droids.

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.

Variants

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.

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 Amphibious Interstellar Assault Transport/infantry (AIAT/i) gunship, the HAET-221 gunboat and Aerial Initiative Assault Transport/infantry (also AIAT/i) gunship.