AT-ST
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All Terrain Scout Transports are bipedal war machines used by the Galactic Empire in the fictional Star Wars universe. AT-STs were seen in the Battle of Hoth and the Battle of Endor in the movies The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The AT-ST can be referred to (in science fiction terms) as a "chicken walker" because of its shape and walking motion.
The AT-ST has chin-mounted double medium laser cannons, a concussion grenade launcher on the left side of its head and a blaster cannon on the right. This gives the AT-ST additional firepower against armored enemy units.
The bipedal propulsion system is the strength of the AT-ST, allowing it to move its formidable weaponry across uneven terrain that a wheeled unit would not be able to traverse, but this is also its weakness: on shifting terrain, a walker can lose its balance and fall over. This was demonstrated during the Battle of Endor, when Ewoks released a large pile of logs downhill into the path of an AT-ST. The walker was unable to handle the rapidly shifting ground, and despite attempts by the pilot to stabilize the vehicle, the vehicle fell on its side and was destroyed.
During the Battle of Endor, an AT-ST was hijacked by the Wookiee warrior Chewbacca and used against the Imperial forces.
The AT-ST has been deployed in other environments as well, such as the snow-covered planet of Hoth during the Imperial raid on Echo Base during the Battle of Hoth.
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AT-ST Variants
AT-XT
In the Clone Wars, the early model of the AT-ST, the AT-XT was created in small number in the first battles. At the Battle of Hoth several AT-STs were deployed to provide cover for the larger AT-AT walkers. These were of a different variant to the "stock" AT-ST seen in ROTJ and the Expanded Universe. The chin-cannons had longer barrels, the "head" of the walker was more rounded, and it had longer legs, making it taller than the stock-version. (It´s possible this variant was more specialised for escort/assault missions, like a halfway between the regular AT-ST and the 10 metre tall AT-ST/A.)
AT-STII
An AT-ST that is operated by a computer instead of a human pilot.
AT-ST/A
The All Terrain Scout Transport/Assault is a variant of the AT-ST walker. It is approximately 10 meters tall, and is more heavily armed than its shorter cousin (including large, double-barreled chinguns). Also fitted with enclosed viewports for added protection of the crew.
The AT-ST/A originated in concept art for the ground-battle on Endor, where it was to have taken the role of the AT-ST (which would be modified from its ESB-appearance). Ultimately, a slighty different look was chosen and the Expanded Universe recycled the designs into a bigger, stronger AT-ST variant, more suited for an assault-role.
AT-AR
The All Terrain Advance Raider is a bipedal walker used by the Empire, more suitable for frontline combat than the AT-ST. Its "head" is situated closer to its legs, giving it a more "hunchbacked" look, and it is armed with a large, single cannon. The view out the cockpit is also more extensive than on the AT-ST, and somewhat similar to the AT-PT.
This walker was originally developed for The Empire Strikes Back, but its design was altered to become the AT-ST. It was later used in an issue of the Marvel Star Wars comic, with some slight alterations to its appearance. The Inside The Worlds of the Original Trilogy factbook stated that walker-units of this kind were stationed at the Imperial Garrison in Mos Eisley and others participated in the Battle of Hoth.
AT-RT
The All Terrain - Recon Transport was developed for the Republic Forces during the Galactic Clone Wars.
Squads of AT-RTs can be seen during the Battle of Kashyyyk, and a nightime search for Yoda in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
AT-PT
The All Terrain Personal Transport is a variant of the AT-ST and only needs a crew of 1 man. They were seen in Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith when Order 66 was executed.