R7-series astromech droid
The R7-series astromech droid was an astromech droid produced by Industrial Automaton during the Galactic Civil War. The R7-series was designed specifically for use with the Rebel Alliance/New Republic E-wing escort starfighter.
Characteristics
Development of the R7-series was a corporate secret, occurring during the media blitz that surrounded production of the R6-series astromech droid. The R7 unit featured two fixed, wheeled legs and a third retractable leg, and was heavily shielded against electrical discharges. These droids were primarily used aboard E-wing starfighters, and required significant modification to work effectively with X-wing or Y-wing starfighters. A typical R7 unit could hold up to fifteen hyperspace jump coordinates in its astrogation buffer and survive a near miss from an ion cannon.
A pirated version of the R7's advanced droid brain was also incorporated into the Imperial XR-85 tank droid.[2]
Behind the scenes
The astromech droid R7-A7 who appears in the The Clone Wars series has been designated as an R7-series droid. The Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia confirms that R7-A7 is indeed a prototype droid, but does not say whether the droid is a prototype of the post–Battle of Endor R7 model.
R7-D4 has the nickname "R7," but he was created prior to the release of the R7. However, the initial two symbols of a droids name do not always connote the model series, as they are part of a longer name, so this may not be a continuity error.
Appearances
- Star Wars: Dark Empire (First appearance)
- Before the Storm
- Shield of Lies
- The New Rebellion
- The New Jedi Order: Balance Point
- The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory I: Conquest
- The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory II: Rebirth
- The New Jedi Order: Star by Star
Non-canon appearances
Sources
- Dark Empire Sourcebook
"The History of R-Series Astromech Droids" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 7- Cracken's Threat Dossier
- The Essential Guide to Droids ("R6 and R7")
- The Essential Guide to Droids ("Q9-X2")
- The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels
- Star Wars Handbook 3: Dark Empire
Notes and references
- ↑ Stay on Target
- ↑ The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, Vol. III, p. 344