AT-AP

Following the success of the AT-TE during the early stages of the Clone War, the Republic commissioned Rothana Heavy Engineering to design additional Walker types to increase the versatility of their ground forces. The AT-AP (All Terrain Attack Pod) was amongst this new batch of designs and is designed to provide mobile medium-range artillery support.

Rothana managed to get the AT-AP into service quite quickly following its initial development, as many of its components are shared in common with the AT-TE. In addition to this quick development turnaround, the Republic gained the additional advantage of being able to interchange a number of their spares between the two types of walker. This was a concept that would later shape the purchasing strategy of the Empire.

At nearly 11m in height, the AT-AP features a heavily armoured command pod with a pair of rear side-mounted legs. Whilst classed as a bipedal walker, the AT-AP actually features a retractable third leg that is used when firing its heavy projectile cannon or when it is moving through particularly uneven terrain. Deploying or retracting this third leg requires the AT-AP to come to a complete halt and remain stationary for a few seconds as its sophisticated suspension system adjusts itself to compensate.

The AT-AP's command cabin is situated at the front of the command pod and holds both the driver and Walker Commander. In addition to being in overall command, the Walker Commander is also responsible for navigation and firing the heavy projectile cannon. The driver controls nearly all other operations onboard, including the use of the ventral swivel blaster cannon. The third and final crewmember operates a dorsal heavy blaster turret from a saddle on the turret itself. Whilst this is a somewhat exposed position, it does give the gunner an unparalleled view of the battlefield.

The AT-AP served with distinction throughout the course of the Clone War and saw heavy action across the Galaxy. With the rise of the Empire and the subsequent development of the AT-ST and AT-AT, the AT-AP started to lose favour and was slowly phased out of frontline operations.

Craft: Rothana Heavy Engineering AT-AP
Type: Artillery Walker
Scale: Walker
Skill: Walker Operation: AT-AP
Crew: 2 Gunners: 1
Cover: Full*
Cost: Not Available for Sale
Cargo Capacity: 100 Kg
Move: 28; 80 kmh**
Maneuverability: 1D+1
Body Strength: 3D+2

Weapons:

Heavy Projectile Cannon**
Fire Arc: Front
Crew: Walker Commander
Skill: Missile Weapons
Fire Control: 1D+2
Range: 50-300/1.5/3km
Damage: 5D

Heavy Blaster
Fire Arc: Turret
Crew: 1
Skill: Vehicles Blasters
Fire Control: 2D
Range: 50-200/700/1.5km
Damage: 4D

Medium Blaster
Fire Arc: Left/Front/Right
Crew: Driver
Scale: Speeder
Skill: Vehicles Blasters
Fire Control: 2D
Range: 50-100/500/1.0km
Damage: 5D

Notes:
* The Heavy Blaster Gunner only benefits from 1/4 Cover
** The Heavy Projectile Cannon may only fire when the third leg is in use. This reduces the AT-AP’s Move to 20; 60kmh and reduces movement difficulties by 5. To deploy or retract the third leg the AT-AP must remain stationary for a full round and counts as a free action.

The images above are from StarWars.com and are used without permission