Model: Armored T-1a Shuttle

Manufacturer: Cygnus Spaceworks

Designation: Heavy Duty Transport Shuttle

Length: 37 meters

Crew: 2-4

Troops: 0 or 320 (Troop lander configuration)

Cargo Capacity: 0 or 1600 metric tons (Cargo transport configuration)

Consumables: 2 months

Hyperdrive Multiplier: x2

Hyperdrive Backup: x20

Speed: 63 MGLT

Hull: 205 RU

Shields: 60 SBD

 

The Armored T-1a Shuttle, commonly referred to as the AT-Shuttle, is what you could call a "bastard" creation by Cygnus Spaceworks with the use of Kuat Drive yards parts and components. The AT-Shuttle was first introduced several years before the tragic destruction of the first Death Star.

A clear resemblance between the AT-Shuttle can, with good reason, be drawn to the AT-AT walker used by Stormtroopers and Imperial Army to transport troops into battle. But the truth is that the main body of of the AT-Shuttle is and was intended for a special regiment-command line of AT-UTs (All Terrain Ultra-Heavy Transports). These 40 meters long walkers were intended to be mobile command centers and headquarters on regimental level. They were ordered by Imperial Army Command, and build by a KDY subcontractor on the lifeless and ice-covered planet Anteevy. Actually very few Regiment AT-UTs ever saw completion as Kuat Drive Yards suddenly cut off all relations with its Anteevy subcontractor by order of the Galactic Empire. The entire leadership of the subcontractor company had been exposed by Imperial Intelligence, proven to financially support the growing rebellion.

Imperial authorities ordered a confiscation of the company. The Imperial military seized control of the entire planet and all its construction facilities. KDY could not retrieve any resources from its former subcontractor, as all the rebellious company's owning where now rightful property of the Empire. Needless to say the order of Regiment AT-UTs was also canceled. Much of the confiscated material on Anteevy could not be used by the Empire itself, like the many unfinished AT-UTs, so they were sold cheap to the highest bidder; Cygnus Spaceworks. Cygnus Spaceworks soon after released a limited production line of Armored T-1a Shuttles. It is estimated that only a thousand AT-Shuttles were ever constructed, as Cygnus Spaceworks would have run out of AT-UT bodies.

Some AT-Shuttles where obtained by the Imperial Starfleet, mainly for cargo transportation purposes, but later the AT-Shuttle design has proven to be a quite effective troop landing craft. Though unarmed is can carry 2 full troop companies and protect them effectively inside the extremely strong hull. The shuttle has a standard crew access ramp beneath the "head" and a large cargo hatch on each side of the main body for cargo and troops.