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| LAAT/I REPUBLIC GUNSHIP |
| Type: Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry Gunship Manufacturer: Rothana Heavy Engineering Affiliation: Army of the Republic Weapons: 3 anti-personnel turrets 2 mass-driver missile launchers 4 composite-beam laser turrets 8 light air-to-air rockets Length: 17.4 meters Crew: 1 pilot 1 co-pilot/gunner 2 auxiliary turret gunners |
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| [There are too many. They will soon have us surrounded] |
| The Gunships, called 'Jedi attack helicopters' early in production, were based on real-world Hind helicopters |
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| 3 BE | LAAT 01 |
| Able to provide heavy covering fire for the troops they carried, as well as being able to take a beating and fly through virtually any conditions, the Republic gunship was without doubt one of the Clone army's most vital vessels. Created by Rothana Heavy Engineering, as was most of the Republic army's weapons of war, the LAAT/i gunship was primarily used to ferry troops into and away from battle zones, but it had enough firepower to do serious damage to the enemy. Troops travelling in the hold were protected by four composite beam turrets, each manned by a clonetrooper for precision targeting, as well as an array of rockets and cannons. The gunships were also heavily armoured, and could withstand a barrage of laser blasts. The LAAT/i gunship could carry 30 clonetroopers or personnel, as well as its crew, plus an IM-6 medical droid and two military speeder bikes. These were deployed at the back of the ship, with the clonetroopers riding on the deck in front. During the Battle of Geonosis, Low Altitude Assault Transport gunships were used as the main attack force above the Confederate landing site. As well as attacking Trade Federation and Techno Union starships, the gunships were responsible for seeing the survivors of the Jedi task force to safety. After descending into the Geonosian execution arena and rescuing the Jedi, six gunships met with the rest of the aerial assault and took the enemy head-on. The gunships defended the clonetroops from the air, before concentrating on destroying Confederate droid tanks after SPHA-Ts were called in to destroy the escaping transports. After the battle was won, the gunships went on to achieve a string of victories in the Clone Wars. |
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