Hunter-Killer probot
The Hunter-Killer probot, also known as the H-K probot, was a bizarre evolution of the more common Viper probe droid. Produced by Arakyd Laboratories, they were commonly used as autonomous patrol vehicles near Imperial worlds.
Characteristics
Shaped roughly like its design predecessor, the Hunter-Killer was a technological monstrosity scaled up to capital ship-size. The interior of each droid was designed to be a detainment platform for captured starships, with tractor beam projectors covering the droid's outer hull, ready to drag wayward ships into one of several internal docking bays.
Following capture, prisoners would be held inside the droid, until the Imperial officer in charge was notified of the capture and had determined the appropriate course of action. They were often used with Imperial Customs Frigates and Guardian-class patrol ships.
However, like capital-ships, it possessed a design flaw: Someone imprisoned could gain access and hijack a Hunter-Killer probot via its control room and thus it creates the risk of it turning against the Empire.
History
After the Viper probe droids proved successful at locating Rebel bases, Arakyd gambled by producing a massive 150 meter droid. The H-K found great favor in the Empire, used to capture smugglers and Rebel ships.
A number of Hunter-Killers were stationed around Byss after Palpatine's return. A notable flaw in the design was exploited when a smuggler being held inside an H-K broke into the control room, and took control of the droid.
Appearances
"Raid on Brentaal" – The Far Orbit Project- Dark Empire 5 (First appearance)
- Dark Empire audio drama
Sources
- Dark Empire Sourcebook
- A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded
- Star Wars Galaxy Magazine 1 (Picture only)
1994 Topps Star Wars Galaxy Series 2 (Card: Emperor Palpatine)- The Art of Star Wars Galaxy: Volume Two (Picture only)
- The Essential Guide to Characters (Under Salla Zend)
- The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels (Under Hyperspace Marauder)
- Star Wars: The Art of Dave Dorman (Picture only)
- The Far Orbit Project
- Star Wars Encyclopedia
- The Essential Guide to Droids ("Arakyd Probot Series")
"Star Wars Episode VII: Rise of the New Republic"—InQuest Gamer 50 (Non-canonical source) (Picture only)- Star Wars Handbook 3: Dark Empire (Under Salla Zend/Shug Ninx)
