Post by Marcus Starkiller on Oct 19, 2006 20:01:25 GMT -5
Flushed with the success of their landmark R2 launch, Industrial Automaton rushed to capitalize on their new dominance of the astromech droid market. The R3-series astromech droid was designed specifically for use by high-tech government agencies. The R3 was launched almost simultaneously with another niche product, the R4-series agromech droid.
Outwardly, the R3 copied its popular predecessor, right down to the bright, contrasting color trim on its metal chassis. The obvious difference in the factory unit was its head, a clear dome of durable plastex. The transparent hemisphere gave the droid's internally mounted sensor package greater range and showcased the R3's other major distinction, its newly updated Intellex V computer brain. Over time, however, some unit's original domes were replaced with opaque ones, or painted over carelessly.
The Intellex V housed an impressive database with detailed specifications on every vessel in the Republic Navy, and could be readily programmed with additional ship specifications easily. Armed with this information, the R3 worked in cooperation with gunnery crews, security troopers, and naval chiefs of operation aboard capital-scale warships. Though it's primary function was as a capital ship astromech, it could still operate as a plug-in droid for starfighters, and could hold up to five hyperspace jump coordinates in active memory.
Due to the sensitive nature of the R3's programming, the rather expensive model was sold only to recognized government militaries. The Galactic Republic purchased 125 million of the droids during IA's initial production run, and later the Empire would use R3s aboard Star Destroyers and the Death Star battle stations. Following the fall of the Empire, in an effort to maintain friendly relations with the New Republic, Industrial Automaton's policy restricted it from knowingly selling to the Imperial Remnant or known Imperial factions. The droids were also commonly found with well-off entertainers after the Battle of Yavin.