The Low-Altitude Assault Transport Infantry (LAAT/I) Gunship acted as the primary ground assault and troop transport vessel in the Republic army. Apart from the troop and speeder bike compliment, it sported 3 laser cannon turrets, under-wing rockets, mass-driver missile launchers, and 4 composite beam turrets (which acted like miniature versions of the Death Star’s superlaser).
Because of the open troop compartment, the initial gunships had to be released in the atmosphere. However, later variants would remove the two central beam turrets and replace them with pressure-locked doors. This allowed Republic cruisers in space to deploy the gunships without having to land or enter a planet’s atmosphere.
