Armored Assault Tank / Legends The Armored Assault Tank ( AAT - 1 or AAT ) was a medium - sized repulsor tank used mainly by the Trade Federation and the Confederacy of Independent Systems prior to the rise of the Galactic Empire . The tank had heavy frontal armor that gave it the capability to plow through walls , and it was heavily armed with a payload of 57 shells . The tank required a crew of four battle droids to be fully operated and was able to carry six additional battle droids onto the battlefield . The tank ' s reactor and power and communications gear were kept in the rear for protection . The vehicle was designed by the Baktoid Armor factories , with its most important parts placed in the back . Piloted by OOM pilot battle droids , AATs comprised a significant portion of the Trade Federation ' s ground forces . They were used to fight armies of pirates in the Outer Rim Territories before they were finally deployed in the Federation ' s Invasion of Naboo in 32 BBY . Ten years later they would be used heavily during the galactic Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems . Though AATs did see a little action after the Republic transformed into the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY , these instances were very rare . Description . The Armored Assault Tank was a formidable vehicle ; it was augmented with heavy inches - thick frontal armor that allowed it to plow through walls , and had heavy weaponry . It carried a payload of 57 shells , but once exhausted , the AAT had to return to its carrier to have its shovel - shaped lower hull completely replaced , fully replenishing its supply . The AAT ' s launch tubes could be equipped with a variety of ammunition . The three standard - issue ammunition types were " bunker - busters " , high explosive shells used for destroying enemy structures such as outposts ; armor - piercing shells , used for penetrating heavy armor on tanks ; and high - energy shells for anti - personnel and anti - vehicle use . As they were fired , these shells were surrounded by high - energy plasma , which improved their penetration and reduced friction , thus increasing speed . Its crew consisted of four battle droids ( one commander , one pilot , and two gunners ) , and could also carry six B1 battle droids on the hand grips on the outside of the tank . The commander typically sat inside the turret of the primary blaster cannon , while the gunners and pilot were positioned in the main hull of the tank . The gunners operated both secondary blasters , and the commander controlled the main turret . The droid ' s programming allowed for only simple tactics , but the tank was effective nonetheless . The reactor , along with key power and communications gear , was kept in the rear for protection , as with many other Baktoid vehicles . The AAT used heavy - duty repulsors to keep it off the ground and propel it forward . While this method was relatively quick , it was sluggish compared to the Gian and Flash speeders of the Naboo , and the later GAT . Like other repulsorlift vehicles , the Armored Assault Tank was unable to penetrate deflector shields . Enemy forces could destroy an Armored Assault Tank by dropping EMP or explosive grenades into both the main turret and the pilot hatch . Additionally , the tanks were vulnerable to portable missile launchers , other vehicles , or Jedi with lightsabers . History . Pre - Clone Wars . Prior to its most notable use in the Invasion of Naboo , the AAT - 1 was deployed by the Trade Federation to several Outer Rim worlds , engaging them in battles against each other , to prove that they had both battle - scars and battle - readiness . When the Invasion of Naboo had started , the AATs had already engaged in fierce combat against armies of pirates , proving that the tank was ready for war . Trade Federation strategy dictated that two AATs escort an MTT . In 32 BBY , the AAT was one of the primary vehicles used in the Trade Federation ' s invasion of Naboo , and was deployed throughout the city of Theed , where their maneuvers caused damage to many buildings . AATs were instrumental in securing the planet , and fought in other important battles of the invasion . During the course of the invasion , commander OOM - 9 ordered the creation of additional units at mech factories . Notably , two Jedi ambassadors stole an AAT to fight their way through Theed to reach Naboo ' s Queen , Padmé Amidala . AATs also battled the Gungan Grand Army on Naboo ' s open fields . Droid commander OOM - 9 led the battle against the Gungans from an AAT . As a result of Anakin Skywalker destroying the Federation ' s Droid Control Ship , they were left in their final battle positions when the Trade Federation ' s droid forces were deactivated and were thus captured by the Naboo . A heavy variant of the AAT known as the Heavy AAT also engaged in battle during the Invasion of Naboo . Although the AAT had many primary weapons and defenses , the bottom interior was the weakest part . The original designer also worked on shielded or faster variants . Clone Wars . Shortly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars , the Trade Federation joined the Confederacy of Independent Systems , and hence AATs were assimilated into the rapidly growing Confederate armies . During the assimilation process , they were all repainted with the CIS standard blue and gray paint scheme and fitted with heavier double laser cannons on the flanking turrets . They would see action during the first battle of the war , and would be used extensively during the Dark Reaper Crisis , as well as the Battle of Muunilinst . On the planet Christophsis , AATs were used under the command of General Whorm Loathsom and many of the tanks were destroyed during the battle by the Republic ' s AV - 7 Cannon . The Heavy Artillery Gun , also used during the war , had a design similar to that of the AAT . During the war , they showed vulnerability to PLX - 1 portable missile launcher fire , with a single missile from this capable of destroying it if aimed at the correct location . Advanced Recon Commandos also displayed capability of jumping inside the tank and blasting it apart from the inside . Also , they seemed inferior to the Republic TX - 130 " Saber " - class fighter tank . During the Second Battle of Geonosis , many AATs were deployed for use by the Geonosian Rebels against the Republic Forces . Later , after his defeat , Archduke Poggle the Lesser used a damaged AAT to transport supplies to the Progate Temple . The AAT - 1 also saw action during the Battle of Coruscant alongside Octuptarra combat tri - droids , and on a multitude of other worlds , including Muunilinst , Felucia , Aargonar , Maridun , and Murkhana . Aftermath . However , following the Imperialization of the Trade Federation by the Galactic Empire , stormtroopers would sometimes utilize AATs during a few battles in the Galactic Civil War ( possibly including the Battle of Tatooine ) . One AAT was refurbished and made serviceable during the Galactic Civil War by a former Imperial slave Wookiee named Quagga . It then saw service during Jabba Desilijic Tiure ' s gladiatorial game . Behind the scenes . The revised rough draft script of Episode I described the Trade Federation invasion spearheaded by AACs , or Armored Attack Craft . George Lucas ' original design ideas for the battle tank resembled more of an assault helicopter : a low - flying armored gun . As the design developed , the AAT began to draw more tank - like characteristics , as well as animalistic qualities ( the arm - mounted cannons , for instance , suggest claws and horns ) . The forward curve of the tank was inspired by the design of a shovel . In " " , AATs were going to be part of both the Separatist and the Imperial faction . The Imperial variant was cut from the final version , but its code remained hidden in the game ' s source . Some fans managed to unearth this and other unit - codes left behind and restored them to functional status . These files are available for free on several modding sites . In the 2001 video game " " and its 2002 , AATs serve as the " mech destroyer " unit for the Trade Federation . Players are provided them in several missions of the campaign , and more may be built at mech factories for 100 units of food and 175 units of carbon . In " Star Wars : The Clone Wars " , the AAT is missing its anti - personnel blaster cannons . It is also missing the two gunners . Instead , it is manned by a commander and pilot .