![]() In addition to the LAAT variants, there were several other gunship models that both pre- and post-dated them and were designated with similar acronyms. This allowed for much faster and stealthier troop deployment. This allowed the gunships to be dropped from an orbital cruiser and fly in space, rather than needing the cruiser to enter the atmosphere. Later versions of the LAAT/i replaced the door-side gunnery balls in favor of larger doors to maintain pressurization of the interior. Variants were modified to carry additional military speeders or deploy larger war machines, such as walkers, onto the battlefield. The LAAT/i could carry up to 30 clone troopers into combat, although they were also used to deploy recon scouts in advance of a battle. The most common LAAT-series model was the LAAT/i, an infantry transport and mobile gun platform used throughout the Clone Wars. Throughout the Clone Wars, the LAAT was used in countless battles for transportation and air support.Īn LAAT/i in combat against Vulture droid starfighters. These gunship made their debut at the First Battle of Geonosis, where they proved critical in gaining air superiority and securing victory for the vastly outnumbered Republic Forces. Even experienced pilots found it impossible to avoid its numerous weapons. It was so maneuverable, in fact, that only the most mobile of enemy craft could keep one in its sights. The LAAT proved excellent in its performance. Three anti-personnel turrets (two at the front, one in the rear) supported further ground operations by ensuring a clear path for the deployment of troops or vehicles. ![]() Four composite-beam pinpoint laser turrets - two manned by clone troopers, two remotely controlled by the co-pilot/gunner (one on each wing) - had a wide field of rotation and could serve in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. Four light air-to-air missiles hung below each wing (eight in total) for any in-flight targets. Against long-range or slow/fixed targets the LAAT used two mass-driver missile launchers (atop the craft) which held a variable payload depending on the mission. The gunship's many weapon systems were designed for both air-to-air combat and air-to-surface support. Sometime after the First Battle of Geonosis, an Alpha-Class Arc Trooper/Special Ops gunship was introduced with a new paint style, increased maneuverability and more flight time. Some versions of the gunship included bacta tanks for medical transportation. Later versions allowed the gunship to fly through space and actually be used for boarding in ship-to-ship battles. Early LAAT were in-atmosphere-only vehicles, requiring their transporting cruisers to land somewhere on the planet or at least enter its atmosphere in order to launch. It also had a rear hangar that could hold up to four speeder bikes for reconnaissance operations or search-and-rescue missions. ![]() The LAAT series of gunships was designed to transport and support up to 30 clone troopers in combat. LAAT/i and LAAT/c flying into the Second Battle of Geonosis This meant that the weapon wouldn't overheat the main engine. However, the Kaminoans developed a solution consisting of side mounted and wing mounted turrets that were controlled manually with their own mass drive engine. The problem with this was that it constantly overheated. They also created a new weapon that would bring mass damage to the battle field, an ion repeater that created a beam to slice through buildings and people. ![]() They used repulsorlift turbines located in the wings and base of the transport to provide stability against the anti-aircraft weapons deployed by the CIS. The Kaminoans had to overcome many tasks that faced them from new weapon designs to stability. The LAAT was an engineering masterpiece that took years to produce.
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