ETL-14 Assault Transport

* 1 entry-ramp weapon mount capable of mounting a repeating blaster or another weapon (not always used)

### Crew

* 1 Pilot
* 1 Co-Pilot
* 2 Gunners

### Cargo capacity

Associated equipment for the carried troops

### Other systems

* SubLight Acceleration Motor
* Spotlights
* Color changing hull (ETL-14xh)
* Advanced External Holoprojector system (ETL-14xh)

## Usage

### Role(s)

* Gunship
* Troop transport

## Description

The ETL-14 was a rugged, heavily armed, shielded, and armored transport which packed surprisingly powerful and maneuverable, engines, allowing the ETL transport to get its troops where they need to be swiftly and, usually, safely. The transport had three hatches, one front ramp and secondary hatches on either side to allow for faster unloading of troops. The ship's interior design was heavily modular. Along the sides were a pair of low-profile spotlights for certain nighttime operations when appropriate. The engines, the upper two especially, were maneuverable for greater control. It also featured an easily changeable transponder system, allowing for rapid redesignation if necessary.

### ETL-14xh

The ETL-14xh, often called the ETL-14 Iyra, was a specialized variant that made two significant changes. The first of these was the use of a specialized hull that could change colors or patterns, with input from the pilot, while retaining a similar level of protection. The second was the inclusion of an advanced holoprojector suite to allow for it to alter its outward appearance, limited both by capabilities and common sense to ships of similar size. These systems, when used in conjunction with the ETL-14s standard changeable transponder system, could theoretically allow it appear and register as a different ship, especially a similar sized ship of a different model. The ETL-14xh was tailored and marketed towards special operations units who might benefit from a discreet entry.

### ETL-16

The ETL-16 was a variant model of the ETL-14 that abandoned the troop-carrying role to become a powerful blast boat, comparable to the Skipray series of the Empire. These were commonly marketed to planetary security forces, especially as an alternative to those that could not field starfighter squadrons.

## History

The ETL-14 was originally conceptualized as a part of the New Class Modernization program as a troop transport, to standardize and replace the various transports and light freighters currently used in this role. It would become a joint project between FreiTek Incorporated, Corellian Engineering Corporation, and Republic Engineering Corporation, primarily to accelerate development and construction, and to allow an easier fielding of the transport once designed; as such, all involved companies held equal rights to the design.

The ETL-14 first entered service in 16 ABY, when it would quickly become the New Republic's first proper, purpose-built combat transport, with its modular interior design allowing it to serve various specialized roles. Through the 20 ABY's, it would continue to see heavy use while also receiving various improvements both through incorporation in new ships and retrofits for existing ships, with the specific model being indicated by a letter following the standard designation. Notably, the ETL-14xh was developed and finally adopted into service in 22 ABY, while the ETL-16, a distant blastboat variant of the ship, was designed in 18 ABY.

The ETL-14 would continue to serve in various roles in the New Republic military until the late 20 ABY's, where it was determined to be replaced as a standard transport by the Eridanus-class Tactical Transport produced by Tirannan Industries. The ETL-14, however, would continue to see use in specialized roles past this decision.

In addition to the New Republic, the ETL-14 would also see service with various planetary defense forces.