TX-225 GAVw "Occupier" combat assault tank

The TX-225 GAVw "Occupier" combat assault tank, also known as the TX-225 GAVw Combat Assault Tank, the TX-225A Occupier tank, or simply the Imperial combat assault tank, was a track-propelled ground assault vehicle used by the Galactic Empire, and operated by a commander and two pilots. The tank had great maneuverability in tight quarters, such as the streets of occupied cities. Its laser cannons could devastate enemy troops, and the powerful engines could transport heavy payloads.
==Characteristics==
Rothana Heavy Engineering's TX-225 GAVw assault tank was the Imperial Army's premier light urban combat vehicle. Part of the TX-225 Occupier line, the GAVw was a rugged vehicle that could be found in mechanized infantry divisions and the Galactic Empire's Stormtrooper Corps, where the GAVw filled a much-needed support and patrol role in the Empire's Order of Battle. The tank was typically deployed in occupied cities and within Imperial military facilities rather than on the front lines, and were a common sight in urban centers with high amounts of unrest. Remarkably versatile, Occupiers were capable of fighting, providing support fire, and carrying troops and cargo with equal ease. While the GAVw possessed treads, another variant of the TX-225 was repulsorlift-equipped TX-225 GAVr "Occupier" combat assault tank. 
Small and simple, the Occupier was 7.30 meters long and 1.82 meters tall, and was roughly the same size of a heavy speeder truck. They had an armored, wedge-shaped forward crew compartment that held the three-person crew—a vehicle commander, a driver and a gunner—in cramped conditions. As a result of their tracks and responsive drivetrain, the Occupier was capable of stopping, turning, and maneuvering in incredibly tight quarters. They were heavily armed for vehicles of similar class, equipped with three Dymek manufactured twin MK 2e/w medium laser cannons, two elevating and one forward-locked, a pair of light blaster cannons mounted forward in the reinforced bow, and a light repeating blaster that could be mounted on a pintle near the main access hatch for anti-infantry and light anti-vehicle use in tight quarters.
In addition to its armament, the GAVw had a depleted duranium composite armor. The composite armor was used because air friction would undercut shield generators. It had composite armor that balanced weight with durability. A matrix of quadanium-enriched titanium interspersed with ceramic plates and phase bonded onto and elastic lattice gave the armor remarkable resilience and toughness without overtaxing the vehicles propulsion system with excess weight. It was also equipped with a Rothana Heavy Engineering–manufactured ADGT-1500 engine that boasted a maximum speed of 72 kilometers per hour on the road and 45 kilometers per hour off the road, as well as close-range sensors. The cost of the GAVw was 40,000 credits.
==History==
Rothana Heavy Engineering, a longtime supplier of armor to the Empire and the Republic, specialized in ground effect and repulsorlift armored vehicles. Providing excellent vehicles, such as, the Occupier Assault Tank.Star Wars Complete Vehicles, New Edition
During the Jedha insurgency, Imperial combat assault tanks were deployed to the Holy City of Jedha during the Empire's occupation of the desert moon to transport kyber crystals. Several of Saw Gerrera's Partisans destroyed one combat assault tank, which belonged to the Imperial Hammers Elite Armor Unit, and stole all of the kyber crystals that were being held on the cargo bed.
The Alliance to Restore the Republic managed to capture some combat assault tanks. As such, the Tatooine rebel cell were able to use TX-225s during the operations on Tatooine.
==Behind the scenes==
The Imperial combat assault tank was created and developed for the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The tank was first revealed with the teaser trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, on April 7, 2016. It was later identified as "Imperial Assault Hovertank" with LEGO Star Wars Rogue One sets preview photos posted on Amazon, on August 8, 2016. However, the idea of an hovertank was abandoned in early stages and the former name was mistakenly used in several toy lines. Though by July, 2016, the tank was still hovering.
For the film, the vehicle was crafted from a real, functional armored vehicle, a flat bed Alvis Stormer, which was partially redesigned by Lucasfilm concept artists. Additionally, the tank was operated by experienced tank drivers to avoid any damage to the set and crew members.
==Appearances==
*Star Wars: Force Arena
*Guardians of the Whills
*Guardians of the Whills: The Manga
*Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 
*Rogue One: A Star Wars Story novelization 
*Star Wars: Rogue One: A Junior Novel 
*Star Wars: Rogue One: Secret Mission
*Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Graphic Novel Adaptation
*Rogue One Adaptation 2
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*Star Wars: Commander
===Non-canon appearances===
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==Sources==
==Notes and references==
Category:Crawler and wheeled vehicle models
Category:Rothana Heavy Engineering products
Category:Tank models
Category:Vehicle classes of the Galactic Empire