All Terrain Armored Transport(Galactic Civil War)

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All Terrain Armored Transport

Thismodel ofAll Terrain Armored Transport was used during theGalactic Civil War. It replaced its largerpredecessor.

Description[]

The All Terrain Armored Transport was an imposing, heavily armored, quadrupedal combatwalker of theAll-terrain vehicle line that stood over 22meters tall. Its impressive size was used for both psychological effect as well as for tactical reasons, a weapon of terror that could cow the local populace with its mere presence. It's purpose was to use its sheer mass and impressive firepower to break through enemy lines and deploy its cargo of crack assault troops.^{[1][2][16][17]}

The walker'scockpit was located in its heavily armored "head"^[1] (also referred to as the "command pod"^[7]), which connected to the main body via a "neck" composed of a ringed electromagnet system to allow greater flexibility. The head also carried a variety of systems such assensors (including rangefinders and terrain scanners), power cells,targeting computers,^[1] and spotlights.^[7] The head also contained a top hatch which was secured by cryptographic lock.^[18]

The command crew consisted of twoAT-AT pilots and avehicle commander. One pilot drove the walker while the other acted as the gunner, although both were capable of filling either roles. Fire control could be surrendered to the vehicle commander via a periscope display, which could also be used to view sensor readouts and tactical data.^[1] Other standard personnel stationed elsewhere in the walker included an engineer and loadmaster.^[6] AT-AT pilots and crew wore specialized suits in case the walker's pressurized cockpit was smashed open in hostile environments.^[19]

The walker's main armaments were also carried in its head: mediumblasters located on the sides or "temples" and a pair of Class II heavylaser cannons fitted on the "chin."^[1][7] The chin-mounted cannons could be fired simultaneously to create a powerful blast or in rapid succession and could vary their power intensity.^[1][20] During theBattle of Hoth, AT-AT laser fire was able to penetrate through the ground to hitEcho Base's command center.^[21]

The armor on the AT-AT, too heavy to be carried byrepulsorlifts, was impervious to normalblaster bolts and cause them to glance off or be absorbed and dissipated. Only the heaviestturbolaser weaponry could actually penetrate an AT-AT's armor plating.^[1] The neck and the underbelly however were weak points on the AT-AT and vulnerable to vehicular blasters and portablemissile launchers, necessitatingAT-STs as escorts to protect its flanks.^[16] The walker was also vulnerable to other AT-AT fire if one happened to be hijacked and turned against the other.^[15]

The AT-AT strode into battle on four tall, reinforced armored legs which (while making it highly visible) helped the vehicle to see over obstructions and provide a clear line of sight for its weapons. Fitted with powerful shock absorbers and piston drives, each leg's foot pad was equipped with terrain scanners and computers to help the pilots navigate rough ground. Although capable of traversing a variety of terrain types, certain features such as steep hillsides or deep swamps proved impassible.^[1] The legs were also unstable and gave the walker a high center of gravity, leaving it vulnerable to being tripped up.^[16]

Connecting the "head" to the "body" was what was dubbed the "tunnel," which led to a troop compartment capable of ferrying up to 40 troopers along withheavy weapons. Troops were seated in double-tiered benches which also functioned as backpack chargers.^[1][10] Extendable boom racks with harnesses and high-speed cable winches allowed troopers to quickly deploy from the AT-AT.^[1] The main, rectangular troop hatch was located in the middle of the walker's side, while two smaller escape hatches were located both to the main hatch's immediate left and right,^[10] and in the walker's underside.^[18] Past the main troop compartment was a vehicle bay at the walker's rear that could hold up to fivespeeder bikes, typically74-Z models.^[10] These also were deployed via harnesses from the AT-AT and typically used for scouting and mop-up operations.^[1]

A powerful reactor provided all of the energy the AT-AT needed to function, with fuel cell, energizer rods and fuel pump located in the rear of the walker above the vehicle bay.^[1] On the exterior of the walker was a steep staircase, that could be used by the walker's personnel to climb from one hatch to the other, or to the walker's roof.^[10] Special locking points along the exterior of the AT-AT helped to secure it for transport via landing barges.^[1] Along the top of the walker were filtered atmosphere intakes, while at the bottom was the walker's fuel slug tank, which had a reputation of being dangerous.^[10]

TheElite AT-AT, a more heavily armored variant with a darker color scheme, was based on the body of this version.^[12]

History[]

Age of the Empire[]

This model succeeded themodel used in thepre–Galactic Civil War conflict against the rebellion.^[23] Plans for this version existed as early as4 BBY.^[24][25]

Galactic Civil War[]

Following theBattle of Yavin, AT-ATs were employed in several skirmishes onTatooine. TheAlliance to Restore the Republic also stole a number of AT-ATs and provided them toSaponza's Gang.^[12] At least one AT-AT helped enforce the Imperial occupation of the Rebellion's former base, theGreat Temple, onYavin 4.^[26] During the Rebelassault on the Imperialweapons factorymoon ofCymoon 1, theHeroes of Yavin group of Rebels led byHan Solo andLeia Organa stole an AT-AT fromWeapons Factory Alpha. They used the walker to escape from the factory after they sabotaged its mainpower core to explode. During their escape, Solo fired a shot that nearly killed theSith LordDarth Vader, using the AT-AT's powerful quadlaser cannons.^[9] Soon after, Vader overtook the Rebels in their escape and cut down the massive walker's back left leg. The AT-AT fell tremendously, and its passengers barely escaped the wreckage^[27] before fleeing Cymoon 1 entirely for the safety of theAlliance Fleet.^[28]

AT-ATs^[29][30] were also used by the Empire in support of theKingdom of Shu-Torun during thecivil war on the mining planetShu-Torun, where rebelliousore-duke refused to bow to the Empire and its puppet regime. One AT-AT was destroyed in theassault on adelving citadel at an ore-duke stronghold by a laser shot to its neck, but the delving citadel itself would be destroyed shortly after.^[29] After the Empire fought off an ambush, Imperials forces, including an AT-AT, joined the Shu-Torun troops in thesiege ofRubix's delving citadel, which ended the war in a victory for the Empire and its regime.^[30] WhenAphra's crewraided the Great Temple on Yavin 4, they spotted an AT-AT^[26] amongst the occupyingplatoons and then watched one move through the jungle.0-0-0 andBT-1 passed an AT-AT and the rest of the Imperial force during the raid.^[31] An AT-AT cut off the crew's escape from the Great Temple untilKrrsantan rescued them in theArk Angel II.^[31]

During theirescape from an oceanic planet, Organa andLuke Skywalker destroyed an AT-AT.^[32] During theBattle of Hoth,GeneralMaximilian Veers led hisBlizzard Force of AT-ATs on the icy fields ofHoth to knock out theshieldgenerator that protectedEcho Base, the Rebel headquarters. Despite facing resistance from theAlliance Army andT-47 airspeeders, Veers' squadron emerged victorious, allowing the Imperials to invade Echo Base and rout the Rebels, striking a major blow in the war. However, the battle also revealed that the AT-ATs could be toppled by a cable wrapped around their legs. Although that weakness had been used effectively by the Alliance on Hoth,^[4] the Empire continued to use these mechanical behemoths in the later stages of the war.^[33]

In theBattle of Ab Dalis, AT-ATs marched against the groundedEleventh Division of the Alliance Navy, which would be reinforced byStarlight Squadron. The AT-ATs and other Imperial forces were unable to prevent a rebel victory after thesquadron destroyed theUltima II.^[34] AT-ATs marched as part of anImperial Unity Day parade onBar'leth, only to be destroyed by asurprise rebel ambush.^[35] At least one AT-AT was part of theoccupation of Endor. The walker was used byCommanderAltadan Igar to transport Skywalker to theDeath Star's shield generator.^[33] AT-ATs took part in theBattle of Cawa City.^[36] TheHellhound attack force was part of the Jakku remnant.^[37]

Rise of the First Order[]

Decades after the war, a youngscavenger namedRey used one of the downed AT-ATs, designatedHellhound Two, as her home onJakku.^[38] TheFirst Order Army utilized anupdated version of the AT-AT, which saw deployment during abattle against theBenathyspecies onBenath^[39] and theBattle of Crait against theResistance.^[40]

Appearances[]

Non-canon appearances[]

• "One Battle... Two Sides!" —LEGO Club Magazine September/October 2014
• Star Wars: Battle Pod
• Star Wars Epic Yarns: The Empire Strikes Back
• LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises — "Rey Strikes Back"(Mentioned only)
• LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises — "Attack of the Conscience"
• LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Showdown on Hoth"
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Return of the Kyber Saber"
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "A Perilous Rescue"
• "Escape from the Imperial Factory" —LEGO Star Wars 59
• LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Reindeer Walker"
• "The Empire Attacks" —LEGO Star Wars 66
• LEGO Star Wars Battles
• "Message of Chaos" —LEGO Star Wars 76
• LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "New Year's Hothin' Eve"
• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
• LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Droid Holiday Hustle"
• LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Vader's Vacation"
• "The GreatestApprentice Assistant" —LEGO Star Wars 126

Sources[]

Non-canon sources[]

• LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary Updated Edition

Notes and references[]

External links[]

• Star Wars Rebels (@starwarsrebels) onFacebook (post onOctober 25,2015):"The iconic behemoth of the battlefield."(screenshot)