How does one deploy an AT-ST?

McC · Post by **McC** » 2004-02-17 03:36am

I'm trying to work out a way to mobilize a mechanized infantry unit consisting of two AT-STs and twelve personnel. My initial thought was to just cram them all inside a Sentinel-class landing craft and be done with it, but unfortunately, the Sentinel is just too small (using SWTC's 8.13m height for the AT-ST to extrapolate its height when "folded up"; also using a 20m length for the central body of the Sentinel, rather than as an overall length figure). One AT-ST might just fit (height being the problem), but there'd be no way to get it out of the ship via the lateral assault ramps.

So, does anyone have an idea as to how to quickly aerially deploy a pair of AT-STs to the battlefield using something that could also double as a light troop transport?

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-02-17 03:37am

Dropships. You're still forced to use the Sentinel for troop transport, though.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-02-17 03:38am

There probably isn't. More likely they're deployed via something like the landng barge. We've seen them in a few sources, Force Commander comming to mand. Also Zinj's Raptor.

McC · Post by **McC** » 2004-02-17 03:42am

Yeah, the dropship was the only thing I saw that even brought up the idea of deploying AT-xTs in this way, but it's overkill for what I want to do...the dropship also seems to mostly be designed with AT-ATs in mind, since they're rather enormous compared to AT-STs.

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-02-17 03:55am

Perhaps the At-St can fold up to fit inside the same dropships used to land AT-ATs.

YT300000 · Post by **YT300000** » 2004-02-17 09:37pm

Stormbringer wrote:There probably isn't. More likely they're deployed via something like the landng barge. We've seen them in a few sources, Force Commander comming to mind.

The dropships in JK2 would be perfect for this role too, as they are designed for AT-STs, and can carry 4.

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2004-02-18 02:56am

I always figured they were "fired" down in capsules and then walked out, much in the same way a horse or camel can lie down and get up again.

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-02-18 03:28am

The capsule idea is used in Battletech where battlemechs are dropped in cappsules from orbit.

Darth Raptor · Post by **Darth Raptor** » 2004-02-18 03:50am

evilcat4000 wrote:Perhaps the At-St can fold up to fit inside the same dropships used to land AT-ATs.

Yeah, and they don't even have to "fold up". The landing barge seen in Force Commander can carry six AT-STs.

As for the Sentinel you're SOL I'm affraid. However I should note that their is a "loader shuttle" variant of the lander that basically drops a giant cargo container onto the battlefield (one scout walker). It doesn't look as if it has significant troop capacity or the means to deploy them however.

It's either the loader shuttle working in tandem with a lander, or the barge.

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-02-18 08:54am

It's either the loader shuttle working in tandem with a lander, or the barge.

Agreed.

McC · Post by **McC** » 2004-02-18 08:59am

Okay, so there's no canon-ish solution, then.

However, I did some calculating and I think a Dx-9 stormtrooper transport might have sufficient internal volume for the job. So I think what I'll do is refit one of those or something.

Crix Dorius · Post by **Crix Dorius** » 2004-02-18 04:37pm

In Rebel Strike are modified Sentinels how can carry one drop-container with one AT-ST...

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-02-18 04:50pm

Axis Kast wrote:I always figured they were "fired" down in capsules and then walked out, much in the same way a horse or camel can lie down and get up again.

the capsule idea is also used in various gundam series, however it wouldn't be very practical for deploying anymore than a few Walkers. as you would need several of them, and be able to have some method of retrieving them for future uses. a large drop ship would be much more viable.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2004-02-18 07:05pm

IIRC according to the Essential Guide to vessels and Vehicles (old version) they are deployed in drop pods, though i may be getting mixed up with MT-AT's

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-02-18 07:06pm

2000AD wrote:IIRC according to the Essential Guide to vessels and Vehicles (old version) they are deployed in drop pods, though i may be getting mixed up with MT-AT's

I think you are.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2004-02-18 07:08pm

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:
2000AD wrote:IIRC according to the Essential Guide to vessels and Vehicles (old version) they are deployed in drop pods, though i may be getting mixed up with MT-AT's
I think you are.

I'm also just noticing he said ATST and not ATAT like he thought he said. Doh!

Darth Raptor · Post by **Darth Raptor** » 2004-02-18 08:10pm

Crix Dorius wrote:In Rebel Strike are modified Sentinels how can carry one drop-container with one AT-ST...

That's what I was talking about. To me it doesn't look like they can operate as a troop transport though.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-02-18 08:13pm

not being too familiar with them, once they're dropped, how do you retrieve the container that deployed the Walker? or does it have its own thrusters?

Darth Raptor · Post by **Darth Raptor** » 2004-02-18 08:23pm

The containers are disposable, I believe. Aside from the repulsors they would obviously need to slow their descent, they're really little more than a durasteel box. The machinery on the loader shuttles would allow them to be picked up again, but I always assumed they were simply discarded after use.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-02-18 08:25pm

hmm. that begs the question then: do they reuse their Walkers, or do they simply leave them on the planets they're deployed on and use new ones for the next mission? if they reuse them how do they reclaim them?

Darth Raptor · Post by **Darth Raptor** » 2004-02-18 08:28pm

Pick them up with barges or heavy freighters I assume. Walkers are commonly transported in freighters (that's how they re-stock their capships). Dropships and barges are for the quick deploy into a contested area.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2004-02-18 08:42pm

Something off this this list ought to work for McC.

Also for dropping capsules, they'd get the troops on the ground, but they'd also be absurdly vulnerable to hostile fire, and by the time your done adding on armor and shields and the ability to maneuver to avoid being blown out of the sky you might as well just use a formal reusable landing craft of some sort.

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-02-19 01:41am

Lazy Raptor wrote:Pick them up with barges or heavy freighters I assume. Walkers are commonly transported in freighters (that's how they re-stock their capships). Dropships and barges are for the quick deploy into a contested area.

Can freighters enter atmosphere and land on a planet ?

Darth Raptor · Post by **Darth Raptor** » 2004-02-19 01:48am

evilcat4000 wrote:Can freighters enter atmosphere and land on a planet ?

Yes.

Comosicus · Post by **Comosicus** » 2004-02-19 03:43am

The only deployment system I'm aware of is the drop-pod seen in JK2. it carries a load of 4 AT-ST and probably a squad of Stormtroopers (no more than 12 I presume, judging from the size of the upper compartment).