Elite ground-vehicle operators within the Galactic Empire's Army were known as Imperial combat drivers. These drivers, considered the best of the best, received training to proficiently operate the Empire's entire ground-based arsenal. This included speeder bikes, Imperial Troop Transports, various walker types like the All Terrain Defense Pod, and even Imperial LAAT/le patrol gunships.
The Empire's specialized corps of drivers were assigned to operate particular assault vehicles. These specialized groups included AT-AT pilots who drove All Terrain Armored Transports, Imperial combat assault tank pilots who piloted TX-225 GAVw "Occupier" combat assault tanks, AT-ST drivers who operated All Terrain Scout Transports, and Juggernaut Pilots who operated HCVw A9.2 juggernaut transports. However, all corps members were qualified to operate All Terrain Armored Cargo Transports, because they were not technically battlefield assault vehicles. Though they had a specialized driver group. AT-AT pilots considered themselves the most elite of all the driver corps.
These drivers were organized within the Combat driver corps and also the broader Imperial Vehicle Corps.
Standard Imperial combat drivers—The standard armor utilized by the Galactic Empire's combat drivers consisted of a jumpsuit, chest armor, shoulder and lower leg protection, gauntlet-style gloves, and a rounded helmet with a faceplate resembling that of Imperial cadets. This uniform gave the combat drivers an impressive appearance and came in two different color schemes. The uniform worn by Troop Transport drivers featured a black jumpsuit with field grey armor and helmet, while the uniform worn by AT-DP and speeder bike drivers had a light grey jumpsuit, field grey body armor, and a light grey helmet. They used an E-11 medium blaster rifle during combat.
- AT-AT pilot —The AT-AT pilots' uniform resembled a white version of the TIE fighter pilots' uniform. It consisted of a light grey flight suit with webbing, along with white gloves, boots, and a helmet. [16] Their suits were insulated for use on cold planets like Hoth. [17]
- AT-ST driver —Unlike other branches, AT-ST drivers wore minimal armor. They wore light grey jumpsuits with pockets, a grey-green open-faced helmet, a belt, black boots and gauntlet gloves, and dark goggles. They bore some resemblance to [18] the non- stormtrooper Imperial Army troopers who were once a significant part of the Imperial Military. [19]
- Imperial combat assault tank pilots —Tank drivers wore partial plastoid armor that provided protection and allowed for the flexibility needed in the tank's tight confines. Commanders wore the same armor, but with a black stripe on their chest plate. [1]
- AT-ACT driver —These pilots wore armor very similar to coastal defender stormtroopers , but in a white and black color scheme similar to combat tank commanders. [3]
- Imperial Transport Pilot —The armor of these pilots was white, with helmets resembling those of Imperial combat assault tank pilots and body armor similar to that of Stormtroopers, but with blue markings. [4]
- Juggernaut Pilot —These pilots wore armor similar to that of Imperial combat assault tank pilots, but it was grey-green and more simplistic in design. Some pilots had red markings on their left upper arm. [5]