For Empire, you might also consider using the fire support option of the DF-90 Mortar. Also, if you transport Dark Troopers with Governor Pryce, they get the benefit but no suppression.
I wish this vehicle was a little better at something. As a transport it is so squishy you might not reach your drop zone. As a gunship it can't move much because your ordinance options are all exhaust to use so you can't move if you want to fire to any real effect. Republic really feels like you go Saber Tank or you ignore the heavy slot entirely bc the LAAT and the ISP are not very good.