Imperial combat driver

Imperial combat drivers were the elite ground-vehicle pilots of the Galactic Empire's Army. Standard Imperial combat drivers were trained to handle everything in the Imperial ground arsenal, including speeder bikes,^[10] Imperial Troop Transports,^[11] and various type of walkers like the All Terrain Defense Pod.^[12] They also flew Imperial LAAT/le patrol gunships.^[13]

Several assault vehicles used by the Empire boasted a specialized corps of drivers. Such corps included AT-AT pilots driving All Terrain Armored Transports, Imperial combat assault tank pilots piloting TX-225 GAVw "Occupier" combat assault tanks,^[1] AT-ST drivers operating All Terrain Scout Transports,^[2] and Juggernaut Pilots operating HCVw A9.2 juggernaut transports.^[5] However, members of all corps were qualified to operate All Terrain Armored Cargo Transports, since they were not technically designated battlefield assault vehicles.^[1] Despite this, they still had a specialized driver group.^[3] AT-AT pilots saw themselves as the elite among the elite.^[14]

They were organized in the Combat driver corps^[7] and the Imperial Vehicle Corps.^[8]

Uniforms

SpeederBike-Disneyxd — An Imperial combat driver piloting a 614-AvA speeder bike

Standard Imperial combat drivers—The standard armor worn by the Galactic Empire's combat drivers consisted of a jumpsuit, a cuirass, shoulder- and lower leg-armor, gauntlet-style gloves, and a domed helmet whose faceplate resembled that of Imperial cadets.^[10] That combat uniform gave the combat drivers an imposing countenance,^[6] and came in two different color schemes. The one worn by the ones driving Troop Transports featured a black jumpsuit and field grey armor parts and helmet, while the one worn by AT-DP^[12] and speeder bike drivers had a light grey jumpsuit, field grey body armor, and a light grey helmet.^[10] In combat, they used an E-11 medium blaster rifle.^[15]

AT-ATDriver-Rifle — The armor of an Imperial AT-AT pilot.

AT-AT pilot—The field uniform of the AT-AT pilots resembled a white version of the one worn by TIE fighter pilots. It consisted of a light grey flight suit complete with webbing, along with white gloves, boots and helmet.^[16] On cold worlds like Hoth, their suits were insulated.^[17]
AT-ST driver—Contrary to other branches, AT-ST drivers wore little armor. They donned light grey jumpsuits with pockets, a grey-green open face helmet, a belt, black boots and gauntlet gloves, and a pair of dark goggles. To a certain degree, they resembled^[18] the non-stormtrooper Imperial Army troopers who, at one time, had been a major part of the Imperial Military.^[19]
Imperial combat assault tank pilots—Tank drivers wore a partial suit of plastoid plates that not only provided protection, but also permitted the flexibility required to sit in the confining quarters of a tank. Commanders wore the same armor, but with a black stripe across the top of 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—These pilots wore white armor with helmets similar to Imperial combat assault tank pilots and body armor similar to Stormtroopers, but with blue markings.^[4]
Juggernaut Pilot—These pilots wore armor similar to Imperial combat assault tank pilots, but was grey-green in color and more simplistic in design. Some pilots had red markings on their left upper arm.^[5]