The AAX is the Collective Army’s anti-aircraft vehicle. Accurate and deadly, this vehicle has remarkably long-range, and can engage and destroy hostile aircraft before they even know there is a threat.
The AAX carries a single turret-mounted photon interceptor cannon, similar to the point defense turrets mounted on starships. For the purposes of atmospheric combat, their range may as well be unlimited, and it is powerful enough to down most fightercraft in a single shot. Its only drawback is its low rate of fire, due to the large amount of energy required for each shot. They can only fire once every four to five seconds, leaving them vulnerable to being overwhelmed if they do not have sufficient numbers.
For defensive purposes, the AAX is equipped with an anti-infantry electron turret, though it lacks any effective anti-vehicle weapons; its photon interceptor doesn’t have the armor penetration necessary to cause significant damage to anything tougher than a light patrol vehicle.
The AAX lacks the impulse propulsion most Collective vehicles use, as it does not provide the necessary stability required to maintain accuracy at long-range. Instead, the AAX is propelled by six legs, which lock down when the cannon is firing. Unfortunately, this makes the AAX extremely vulnerable to ground attack, and it almost always requires an armored escort. It lacks shielding and significant armor, so it takes very little damage to knock one out of commission.
Despite these drawbacks, the AAX is widely regarded as one of the best air defense systems in the galaxy, and acts as a strong deterrent for those foolish enough to attack the Collective. Many a pirate pilot has gone down in flames without ever realizing they were in an AAX’s gunsights.