Star Wars: How Is Rogue One's AT-ACT Different From An AT-AT?

Say what you will about the Galactic Empire, but don't dare accuse them of having inept weaponry. The Imperial army is armed to the proverbial teeth with blasters, TIE Fighters, and other aggressive spacecrafts. However, one of the Empire's most iconic pieces of technology comes courtesy of their All-Terrain Armored Transport vehicles, or AT-AT for short. These behemoths were introduced to fans in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. And, now, fans have met yet another iteration of the transporters thanks to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

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In Rogue One, moviegoers were shown a new kind of cargo transport with the AT-ACT. The All-Terrain Armored Cargo Transport towers over its predeccesor at 31 meters instead of 22.5. Manufactured at Kuat Drives Yards along with AT-ATs, the AT-ACT is a combat walker classed transport with a dedicated cargo bed. The intimidating tech is meant to carry heavy building material and ammunition wherever the Empire may need supplies, and it's still tricked out with some souped-up weaponry.

The AT-ACT may not be built for combat, but it can hold its own in a fight. It's massive stature is enough to crush any meager opponent, and it is also equipped with two heavy laser canons. Unlike the AT-AT, the AT-ACT does not need an specialized pilots to man the craft. Any operator in the Imperial fleet can helm an AT-ACT is called for.

Looking at the AT-ACT, some may wonder why the reinforced machine hasn't been popularized in the Star Wars canon before now, but the reason is simple. When it comes to assault tactics, the AT-AT still reigns supreme. The new vehicle may have a near-impenetrable body, but its defensive armor made it impossible for the AT-ACT to move as nimbly as its counterpart. The tech's taller stature forced its creators to use an electromagnetic tensor field to strengthen the AT-ACT's knee, and that makes it a greater liability on the battlefield.

If you were ever hoping to build one of these AT-ACT vehicles for yourself, then you better start saving some serious cash. There's no estimated price point for the Rogue One transport, but fans have guessed at how much an AT-AT would cost. Best Casino has said the Imperial craft would cost $226.5 million to make before an annual $192 thousand cost kicked in for crew training.

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk and Jonathan Aris. The film is directed by Gareth Edwards and written by Gary Whitta and Chris Weitz, from a story conceived by John Knoll.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is in theaters today.

[H/T] Reddit