The AAT, or Armored Assault Tank, first appeared in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999 as the Trade Federation's main ground vehicle during the invasion of Naboo. Its distinctive cannon sounds were created by the film's sound design team using layered electronic and mechanical effects typical of prequel era battles. Clips of the firing effect later circulated on soundboards and in fan edits, where creators reuse the blast for other tanks, mechs and sci-fi weapons because it reads instantly as a large energy cannon.