The Multi-Troop Transport (MTT) was a heavily armored repulsorlift transport vehicle manufactured by Baktoid Armor Workshop and used by both the Trade Federation during their Invasion of Naboo and later the Confederacy of Independent Systems to transport B1-series battle droids before and during the Clone Wars. During the Clone Wars, it was used to transport B2-series super battle droids.
Manufactured by Baktoid Armor Workshop for the Trade Federation and later the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the Multi-Troop Transport was a heavy, broad-shouldered, snub-nosed repulsorlift vehicle designed to transport battle droids into combat. Massive, lumbering, imposing vehicles, the 35.94 meter long and 10.45 meter tall MTT was considered a troop carrier, a tank, and a siege ram. It was difficult to stop at a maximum speed of thirty-one kilometers per hour, and when compared to the Armored Assault Tank also used by the Federation and Confederacy, it was extremely capable in its role. For defensive purposes, the Multi-Troop Transport was armed with a pair of forward-mounted antipersonnel twin blaster cannons. They were additionally equipped with close-ranged sensors.
An MTT deploying its battle droids
With its hulking forward hull, sloping front end, and small aft hull, the MTT had a vaguely elephantine silhouette. A small armored cockpit was mounted atop the towering hull, directly above a large, thick, circular hatch, where two OOM pilot battle droids served as the vehicle's operators. These two pilot droids directed the vehicle according to the instructions received from a Lucrehulk-class Battleship. One of the pilots would serve as an engineer and a gunner. Much of the interior was given over to the hydraulically powered droid deployment rack, a long rotating assembly that carried a total of one hundred and twelve deactivated B1-series battle droids.
In order to deploy the droids, the MTT was required to cease movement, open the hatch, and extend the rack, where the droids were then quickly deployed and activated, creating an instant infantry formation. Another variant of MTT deployment rack dropped its robotic soldiers from a few meters off the ground, falling into their battle-ready configuration rather than taking the time to rise from a compact form. However, the quicker deployment rack held less droids. A maximum of twelve B2-series super battle droids could be stored in such a rack. A mix of several B1s, B2s, and BX-series droid commandos could be stored on such a rack as well.
Multi-Troop Transports were utilized by the Trade Federation, and later the Confederacy of Independent Systems, to deposit over a hundred battle droid infantry troops into the thick of combat on battlefields. Assisted by an orbital Lucrehulk-class Battleship, which sent an activation signal to the droids, the MTT deployed its stowed soldiers into their battle-ready humanoid configuration.
MTTs as part of the invasion force on Naboo
MTTs were typically supported by phalanxes of Armored Assault Tanks, which cleared the path ahead to allow the troop transports to deploy their units, although MTTs were also used to support front lines and front ranks comprised of AATs. Multi-Troop Transports were themselves deployed from within C-9979 landing craft, which carried eleven MTTs each.
Numerous Multi-Troop Transports were deployed from landing craft during the Invasion of Naboo. Disgorged into the planet's swamps, MTTs bulldozed anything in their path, from trees to native life-forms, and thirty-three of the large transports ultimately assisted in the occupation of Theed. They were later part of the Trade Federation Droid Army sent to confront the Gungan Grand Army on the Great Grass Plains. When the Gungans' deflector shields proved strong enough to withstand bombardment from Armored Assault Tanks, a line of MTTs deployed their B1-series battle droids to walk through the energy wall and engage the Gungans in single combat. The MTTs remained a fearsome presence throughout the battle, some closing in to trap the Gungan army, and once the deflector shield generators were destroyed, many Gungans became vulnerable to the transports' laser fire.
Dowutin Hunters operated Multi-Troop Transports during the Galactic Civil War
MTTs were used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars, transporting infantry troops to numerous battlefields, and many were painted in Confederacy livery.
By 9 BBY, the Bedlam Raiders on Koboh had an MTT in their possession within one of their outposts. The transport carried six B1-series battle droids, two B2-series super battle droids, and four BX-series droid commandos.
In 9 BBY, Jedi Knight Cal Kestis encountered the Bedlam Raiders' MTT and destroyed the droids carried inside of it.
Multi-Troop Transports were used by the Dowutin Hunters, mercenaries active during the Galactic Civil War who fought for both the Galactic Empire and the Alliance to Restore the Republic. These transports were modified, donning a predominantly green and yellow color scheme likened to that of their Dowutin operators.
B1 battle droids kept in an MTT in the Battlefront II trailer
The MTT first appeared in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, the first installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
The Starwars.com Encyclopedia listed the length of this vehicle as 25.94 meters, while the newer Databank lists it as 35.94 meters.
The design of the rail jet cars inside the Malevolence drew inspiration from the MTT.
The MTT also appears in Star Wars Battlefront II, in which the player, if they are part of the Separatist team, is able to pilot the vehicle in the game's Naboo and Kashyyyk levels. If the player is not inside the vehicle, they are tasked with defending the MTT from Republic ion cannons.
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