Five amazing Star War vehicles that are not the AT-AT Walker

Any Star Wars fan knows about the stubby Imperial chicken walker or the imposing All Terrain Armored Transport (AT-AT). Those two get a lot of screen time and toy manufacturer attention. But Star Wars is home to a plethora of other vehicles, each with its own unique design and features. Some often more superior to the popular ones. In honor of May the 4th , this week's Toggle brings you five cool Star Wars vehicles you may not know of. 

IG-227 Hailfire-class droid tank

The Hailfire-class has an interesting origin, namely that it used to be a tax collector. The IG-227 was built by Haor Chall Engineering for the InterGalactic Banking Clan, whose "Collections and Security Division" used them to ensure everyone paid back their money on time. It had two giant wheels for intimidation purpose, 30 guided missiles for precision strikes and a retractable laser canon to dispatch anyone who thought of putting up a fight. During the Clone Wars, the Banking Clan pledged the Hailfire to the Separatist cause, where its missiles proved to be the bane of both Republic armor and air assets.

All Terrain Tactical Enforcer (AT-TE)

The backbone of the Republic Army, AT-TE was a perfect example of what happens when people with no military experience try to build a weapon. The Galactic Republic, having not fielded a sizable military for over a millennia, tusked Rothana Heavy Engineering to build an armored vehicle that could do everything. The result was a six-legged monstrosity that had no clear combat role. It had six heavy laser cannons for infantry support, one mass driver for artillery duty, a built-in infirmary, and enough internal space transport 20 passengers. On the other hand, the walker had unparalleled mobility and a large internal volume, allowing the Republic Army to adopt the platform for various specialized roles through the war. 

Umbaran hover tank (UHT)

The most obscure vehicle on this list, this hover tank was made by Ghost Armaments for the Umbaran Militia, the planetary defense force of Umbara. The vehicle was designed around an armed cockpit flanked by two giant electromagnetic plasma cannons, capable of decimating entire infantry platoons with a single blast. The tank saw extensive action during the Clone Wars, after Umbarans tried to succeed from the Galactic Republic and join the Confederacy of Independent system. The resulting Battle of saw the Clone Army defeating the Militia, but not before suffering heavy causalities at the hand of these advance units.

All Terrain Defense Pod (AT-DP)

An evolution of the Republic's All Terrain Recon Transport, the Defense Pod exchanged speed and mobility for better armor and firepower. Designed and built by Kuat Drive Yards for the Empire, the bipedal walker had a fully enclosed cockpit for two and was armed with a heavy laser cannon powerful enough to punch through medium vehicle plating. The AT-DP was primarily used by the Empire to protect Imperial assets on occupied worlds, including military installations and distribution centers on backwater planets. However, the Empire occasionally used them in frontline service, such as during the invasion of Mon Cala. 

All Terrain MegaCaliber Six (AT-M6)

Known as the "gorilla walker" among the resistance troopers, the AT-M6 is an evolved variant of the old Imperial All Terrain Armored Transport. Designed by the Kuat-Entralla Drive Yards for the First Orders, it was bigger, more heavily armored, and was fitted with a turbolaser cannon, a weapon typically reserved only for starships. The massive gun required a redesign of the walkers' front legs, which were reinforced and given extra stabilization to both carry the extra weight and absorb the large recoil of the massive canon. Although still capable of carrying a squad of infantry, the primary purpose of this massive walker is to bring the warship grade firepower to any engagement.