Unstable Terrain Artillery Transport

The Unstable Terrain Artillery Transport (UT-AT), also known as the "trident", was a repulsorlift assault vehicle that was used by the Grand Army of the Republic.

It had a cockpit similar to the AT-TE and AT-OT walkers, and was nicknamed the "trident" for its three forward laser cannons (one on each side of the vehicle and a third on top).

Details
The UT-AT was supported by 16 low-power repulsorlift skis located along its rear section, which evenly negated the weight of the vehicle as it traversed unstable and dangerous terrain that would otherwise endanger heavy, armored vehicles. The repulsor-skids could also be made to reverse the effect, creating gription fields which held the vehicle in place during long-range firing or travels over sheer terrain. Propulsion was handled by four repulsorlift plates in the forward section.

The front of the UT-AT had enough space to accomodate up to twenty clone troopers. The rear half contained the gunner stations for the vehicle's four anti-infantry laser cannons, as well as storage space that allowed for the transport of various types of artillery. In addition to the standard armament, some UT-AT variants were armed with bomblet generators. Another variant replaced the artillery storage space with a bridgelayer assembly that allowed them to blaze a safe trail over unstable terrain for walkers further down the line.

History
The UT-AT was developed after a disaster on Agamar, where the crushing weight of Republic walkers caused the natural bridges they were crossing to collapse. Seeing the need for a combat transport that could safely travel across unstable terrain, Kuat Drive Yards (manufacturer of many of the Republic's walkers) partnered with Mekuun, a corporation that was known for its heavy repulsorlift vehicles. The two companies combined their expertise to produce the UT-AT.



Many UT-ATs were lost during the Clone Wars because of the vehicles' poor speed and maneuverability. Because of its poor handling, drivers were careful to limit their speed to only 45 kilometers per hour. Another weakness resulted from the fact that the UT-AT traveled above ground, rather than on it. A well-aimed hit beneath this vehicle could cause it to flip over.

A large force of UT-ATs supported Jedi General Ki-Adi Mundi and his clone trooper forces during the Battle of Mygeeto. They engaged tri-droids in vicious combat, but took heavy losses due to the effectiveness of the droids' belt-fed ordnance. Due to the vulnerability of walking/rolling vehicles on Cato Neimoidia's bridge cities, UT-AT units were also used on this planet to good effect during the battle.

When these planets were conquered by the newly established Galactic Empire in the name of self-appointed Emperor Palpatine, UT-ATs were used as part of the occupying forces.

Behind the scenes

 * The backstory for the UT-AT was created by Hyperspace members The2ndquest (Billy Buehler) and The Dark Moose (real name unknown) for What's The Story?

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

External link

 * Kinda Sorta But Not Really Published!.. Kinda... &mdash; The Dark Moose's Star Wars Blog entry.