All Terrain Scout Transport The All Terrain Scout Transport ( AT - ST ) , also known as a Scout Transport , Scout Walker , or derisively as a chicken walker , was a lightweight , bipedal walker used by the ground forces of the Galactic Empire . Characteristics . AT - STs were commonly used to screen the flanks of larger assault walkers for major ground operations . The Empire used them for swift reconnaissance and troop support . As such , they were essential for cleaning up minor resistance along the path of a pre - planned invasion route , and could quickly eliminate any small threats that managed to evade an AT - ATs barrage . The walker was commonly used on anti - personnel hunting missions , and was piloted by two AT - ST driver s with superior skills of balance and agility . AT - STs were equipped with two chin - mounted MS - 4 twin blaster cannon s capable of firing at a range of two kilometers . It also featured one cheek - mounted 88i twin light blaster cannon and one cheek - mounted DW - 3 concussion grenade launcher capable of doing massive damage to enemy vehicles and ground troops at close range . They were excellent at dealing with large amounts of infantry as well as mounted turrets that were too risky to be taken out with rocket launchers . Its clawed feet could slash apart wires and fences at ground level . Reinforced armor plates enveloped the control cabin , protecting the two - person crew . Its two armored viewports were deliberately set to give any viewer the unsettling sensation of staring into the face of a soulless beast or oversized combat droid . Inside the control cabin , the command module featured a holographic 360 - degree view of the combat zone . The " head " itself was capable of rotating 240 degrees side to side , greatly improving the gunners target acquisition abilities and capabilities for destruction . The walker ' s deceptively rickety gait belied a potent patrol vehicle . Gyros , flexible joints , footpad sensors , and shock absorbers formed a sophisticated system that controlled balance and stabilized the walker across a variety of terrains . Despite its speed and agility , an AT - ST walker ' s offensive and defensive power were significantly compromised . Offensively , its weapons systems were only good against lightly - armored targets at close range . Defensively , its lighter armor could repel attacks from small arms fire , but not laser cannons , missiles , or other heavy ordinance . Its armor did not cover its entire frame , lest the walker lose its agility . Striking the walker ' s unprotected gyros underneath the command module could destabilize the walker and cause it to fall . Additionally , deep trenches or cable lines leveled at the height of the AT - ST ' s ankles and knees could cause it to trip and topple the vehicle . The Ewok s of Endor discovered that the AT - ST were vulnerable to anti - Gorax traps . Ramming logs could smash through the walker ' s head , destroying the cockpit . One of its other weaknesses was its susceptibility to hijacking , despite the height of the vehicle seemingly making hijacking an impossibility . A sufficiently strong force could rip the entrance hatch off the top of the walker . If commandeered , the walker ' s cannons could easily penetrate other AT - STs armor . Variant models . AT - ST Mark III . AT - ST Mark III s were equipped with experimental armor that provided more speed and durability than that of the standard AT - ST . Mounted with twin heavy laser cannon s and piloted by veteran crews , they excelled against most targets . First Order AT - ST . The First Order utilised an updated version of the AT - ST that featured upgraded armor and gyroscopic systems . History . Part of the All - Terrain walker family , the AT - STs role in supporting Imperial ground operations earned it the moniker ' scout walker ' owing to its ability in ferreting out enemy positions and inspecting locations in advance of larger walkers . It was better equipped than the Republic AT - RT . The AT - ST was commonly involved in a variety of environments . At least one AT - ST was deployed on Jedha in 0 BBY in a battle during the planet ' s insurgency . Between the Battle of Yavin and Battle of Hoth , the Alliance to Restore the Republic operated stolen AT - STs , and provided them to Saponza ' s Gang , who often fought against the walkers . Several fought alongside AT - ATs at the Battle of Hoth . They also notably participated in the Battle of Endor , where they were defeated by the Ewoks and their traps . Behind the scenes . The original model for the AT - ST was created by members of the Industrial Light & Magic team , and George Lucas thought it was " neat " and decided to include it in " " alongside the AT - AT , so the ILM model shop disassembled it and added a metal stop - motion armature . The AT - ST model received some cosmetic changes for its extensive appearance in " " , thus explaining the minor differences in the models used for the two films .