Background
The Armored Assault Elite X2 Tank (Assault Tank or AAT-Ex) is the evolution of the Armored Assault Tank from the Invasion of Naboo and later the Clone Wars, being produced by Armor Engineering Products in the Kingdom of Jod. The AAT-Ex is considered the main battle tank of the Jod Military Forces and in specific the Motorized Armor, attached to the King's Army. The tank is a central part to the Combat Force; some of the most highest trained Cavalry Troopers crew a AAT-Ex, making their effectiveness in battle all the more important.
A force to be reckoned with, the modernization of the AAT-Ex provides the tank with modern sensors, communications, engines, and structural redesign & armor plating to be a terrifying sight on any battlefield. Further technology enhancements, an organic crew member conversion kit, and a Jod weaponry conversion kit that equals or surpasses weaponry in the Outside Galaxy further enhances the deadly reputation of the AAT-Ex. The tank is repainted in the Grand Army of the Republic coloring scheme, although both a gray & original Trade Federation tan color scheme can be offered.
Antique & Custom Arms Company, through ACA Armor Sales, produces the tank in the Outside Galaxy as the Elite Armored Assault Tank, part of the Elite-series.
Outside Galaxy Model
Known as the Elite Armored Assault Tank and part of the Elite-series produced by ACA Armor Sales, the Outside Galaxy model copies the X2 almost precisely, except it lacks the following and is replaced with:
- Lacks the 392-A Comms Package
- (Replaced with 392 Comms Package)
- Lacks the REP Armor Systems Kit
- (Replaced with modern weaponry for the Outside Galaxy)
- Lacks the A-2X-T3 Deep Scope Ground Radar & RT-391 Stabilizer Package
- (Replaced with A-2X-T1 Tactical Ground Sensor)
- Lacks the ERE-MR 278-B Engine System
- (Replaced with the V3 178-A Engine System)
- Lacks the two 787 Viper Autoloaders
- (Replaced with traditional laser-cannon energizers.)
- Lacks the two 887 Viper Autoloaders
- (Replaced with traditional laser-cannon energizers.)
- Lacks the 987 Viper Autoloader
- (Replaced with traditional Laser Charge Battery.)
- Lacks the 2900 AMK Structural Design Package
- (Replaced with titanium & condensed-matter composite structural frame with titanium-reinforced durasteel vehicle armor. The armor was inferior to the 2900 AMK, but on par for protection with the older Armored Assault Tank.)
- Keeps the 1071V OIS Package
Characteristics
The Armored Assault Elite X2 Tank is heavier then it's older cousin, the original Armored Assault Tank from the Invasion of Naboo and later the Clone Wars. This increased weight is due to to the tank's structural redesign (2900 AMK Structural Design Package), including a stronger & much more durable duramentium & condensed-matter composite structural frame and more heavily armored titanium-reinforced quadranium vehicle armor. Additional armored layering (over the already titanium-reinforced quadranium vehicle armor) of titanium-reinforced alusteel vehicle armor coats the underside of the tank, as well as the area around the primary 987 Viper Autoloader, lateral winged 887 Viper Autoloaders, and 787 Viper Autoloaders in the front of the tank. These additional hardened armor points are designed to protect the ammunition further from external combat stresses and impacts, as well as providing the 987 Viper with additional protections to prevent a possible cook-off or catastrophic failure, featuring Blowout Panels in strategic locations directly in the shadow of the 152 mm Armor Cannon; the underside reinforced armor is a purposeful design feature to reinforce the tank crew's survival rate against powerful land mines.
The armor is considered superior to that of the All Terrain Armored Transport (AT-AT). To hulk all this extra weight around, however, the AAT-Ex comes equipped with expensive new heavy-duty repulsorlift engines in the design of the ERE-MR 278-B Engine System, which also solves the weakness of the original AAT at the Battle of Naboo with the inability to penetrate the Gungan shields and increases the tank's speed from 55 kph to 85 kph.
An in-depth new sensor system (A-2X-T3 Deep Scope Ground Sensor), upgraded communications system (392-A Comms Package), ion cannon-blast recovery system (RT-391 Stabilizer Package), and an organic crew conversion kit (1071V OIS Package) to round out other advancements to the AAT-Ex.
The tank requires a crew of 4 (see below).
Tank Crew
The crew of an AAT-Ex consists of 4 Cavalry Troopers. Normally, an Assault Tank Company employs a captain as company commander in the lead tank, while a first lieutenant & second lieutenant are in two other tanks as second & third in command, as well as their respective vehicle commanders. The last 4 tanks typically feature a Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, and 2 Staff Sergeants as vehicle commanders in the other tanks.
Vehicle Commander
The Vehicle Commander (VC) is either a Company Officer or a senior Non-Commissioned Officer, such as a Staff Sergeant, First Sergeant, or Master Sergeant.
The VC sits in the turret of the tank and has access to both the A-2X-T3 Deep Scope Ground Sensor & 392-A Comms Package), as well as the tank's primary weapon, the deadly 152 mm Armor Cannon.
Engineering Weapon Master
The Engineering Weapon Master (EWM) was a nod to the Starfighter Corps' successful Tac-SenCom Engineering Technician and was---essentially---a copy of the rank & specialty within the King's Army, however the army version lacked the communications & sensor responsibilities and instead focused on the overall health & operation of the tank in both normal & combat operations (as they were recruited from the Army Mechanic ranks, the mechanic having to be a Senior Mechanic).
The EWM sat on the right (starboard) side of the tank and was primarily in charge of ensuring the weapon systems were operating at 100% and was the only position within the tank that actually had a maintenance hatch directly under their seat and directly above & behind their seat to access the weapon systems directly in both the undercarriage & under the turret respectfully. Additionally, the EWM was also in charge of maintaining the ERE-MR 278-B Engine System and ensuring optical utilization during both normal and combat operations, as well as overseeing the all other engineering & technical issues with the tank. The EWM as also in charge of the ion cannon-blast recovery system (RT-391 Stabilizer Package).
Like their Starfighter Corps' cousin, the rank & specialty were rare and restricted to one or two types of vehicles & vessels. Ranks typically included through Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, and First Sergeant.
Gunner
The gunner is typically a Lance Corporal, Corporal, or Sergeant. They operate the two 57 mm Armor Cannons on either side of the tank and the 6 projectile launchers which feature 57 Red Rock Encased Multipurpose Warhead Rockets (green-tipped ground vehicle rockets & plain-tipped anti-personnel rockets, 28 & 29 rockets each respectfully).
Pilot
The pilot was was ranked Specialist to Specialist Class and were, typically, the lowest ranked member of a tank crew. They operated the 2 Anti-Personnel Rotary Cannons in the front of the tank.
Biological/Chemical Warfare
Additional features includes advanced biological and chemical warfare life support systems; the AAT-Ex can operate in non-breathable atmospheres for up to 14 hours. If life support systems are resupplied and reequipped, the tank can stay in such hazard environments as long as needed.
Weaponry
The Armored Assault Elite X2 Tank carries a deadlier punch than it's predecessor, the Armored Assault Tank, and it's Outside Galaxy counterpart, the Elite Armored Assault Tank.
Primary Armament
The AAT-Ex features the powerful 152 mm Armor Cannon. The 152 mm is considered stronger than the original heavy laser cannon equipped to the Armored Assault Tank, which was powerful enough to utterly destroy a All Terrain Tactical Enforcer with a single shot. Add the super powerful MPR 392 Vector Shell (60 total) to the 152 mm and you have a heavy cannon with equal firepower to the All Terrain Armored Transport's MS-1 fire-linked Heavy Laser Cannon. The 152 mm can reach even deadlier heights and match the maximum firepower range of the MS-1, when the 152 Cannon fires in it's double-shot mode.
Secondary Armament
The AAT-Ex is equipped with two 57 mm Armor Cannons, one on either side of the tank. The weapons are fed through ammunition banks built inside the lateral wings on the tank, replacing the traditional laser-cannon energizers. Each "wing" holds 60 Red Rock Encased Projectile 57mm Armor Rounds, for a total of 120 rounds.
Additional secondary armament included a pair of Anti-Personnel Rotary Cannons in the front of the tank, featuring 8,000 Red Rock Encased Projectile Medium 7.62 Caliber rounds total.
Other Armament
The AAT-Ex is equipped with a full load of 57 rockets, featuring a combination of both green-tipped (ground vehicle) & white-tipped (anti-personnel) Red Rock Encased Multipurpose Warhead Rockets.