Multi Altitude Assault Transport
The Multi Altitude Assault Transport/infantry (MAAT/i), is a specialised gunship designed for aerial-based assault and infantry transportation. It is used by Jaig Company of the Razorcat Battalion
The MAAT/i is affectionately known as the "marty" by the troops who use them.
Design
The MAAT/i is the latest evolution of the classic Low Altitude Assault Transport from the Clone Wars. It is a repulsorlift infantry transport capable of carrying up to forty troopers. Secondary functions include reconnaissance, direct fire support, search-and-recovery, and low-altitude air-to-ground and air-to-air strikes against vehicles ranging from airspeeders to starfighters.
In addition to its trooper complement, housed on a deckplate protected by drooping wings and a sliding side door, the MAAT/i can carry four military speeder bikes in an aft-deployable rack. The crew complement comprised a pilot and co-pilot/forward gunner in the hunchbacked cockpit, and two auxiliary gunners stationed in pinpoint composite-beam turrets extending on articulated arms from the troop cabin. An IM-6d medical droid is commonly carried aboard in an emergency locker. In the event of emergencies, the cockpit capsule can separate from the main craft to act as an escape pod.
Weapons
The MAAT/i is a fully armed gun platform, with a complete arsenal of weaponry that consists of three anti-personnel laser turrets, two forward-facing, one covering the stern hatch; two top-mounted mass-driver missile launchers fed by rear-mounted ordnance belts and commonly loaded with short-range homing missiles, HE (high explosive), HEAP (high explosive armour-piercing), and APF (anti-personnel fragmentation) rounds; four composite-beam, pin-point laser turrets, two of which were automated bubble-turrets located on either wing; and eight concussion missiles stowed on the underside of each wing (16 in total).
Usage
Unlike their predecessors, the MAAT/i’s are equipped with atmospheric containment shielding, can be deployed from space, and can even reach their carrier craft, if they are in low orbit. MAAT/i’s can also be used to fly short distances in space to act as short range courier vessels between ships.
When approaching a target, the main cabin lights up red, a visual indicator to stand by, when troopers conduct last moment preparations including checking their ammunition and communication systems. Once touching down, the red lights change to green, signalling clearance to disembark.
Within the main cabin are various handles attached to cables hanging from the ceiling of the main cabin. When the gunship's hatches were open, troopers can hold on to these to help keep their balance while the gunship was in flight. In the case of rapid deployment, troopers can hang on to these as the cables are lowered to the ground for quick deployment so the MAAT/i wouldn't need to land. However, during this process, both the troopers and gunship are vulnerable to enemy fire, so landing and disembarking regularly is the more common way to deploy troops.
